Thrombosis

Thrombosis is a pathological condition marked by the formation of a blood clot, known as a thrombus, within the vascular system. This process can occur in either the arterial or venous circulation and is the result of disruptions in the normal hemostatic mechanisms, which are the body's way of preventing excessive bleeding. Under normal circumstances, clotting is a protective response to vascular injury, initiating repair processes. However, pathological thrombosis arises when clots form inappropriately, leading to partial or complete obstruction of blood flow, which can have serious consequences for organ function and overall health.

Several factors can contribute to thrombosis, including vessel wall damage, blood flow alterations (stasis or turbulence), and an increased tendency of the blood to clot (hypercoagulability). These factors are collectively referred to as Virchow's triad. The clinical implications of thrombosis depend on the location and extent of the clot. For instance, arterial thrombosis can lead to conditions such as myocardial infarction (heart attack) or stroke, depending on whether the coronary or cerebral arteries are involved. Venous thrombosis, on the other hand, often manifests as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can result in pulmonary embolism (PE) if the clot dislodges and travels to the lungs.