Thrombosis is a common health condition that affects 1 in 4 people worldwide. People with medical conditions like cancer, coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, and diabetes are at risk for this condition. Moreover, people who are obese, have a sedentary life and have inherited a blood clotting disorder might be prone to thrombosis.
The process of blood clot formation inside one of the blood vessels or chambers of the heart is called thrombosis. While these blood clots break free and start to travel, sometimes they get stuck in critical locations, such as the brain or lungs, resulting in a life-threatening condition.
There are two types of thrombosis:
The symptoms of thrombosis depend on the location and the size of the blood clot. Based on the symptoms, the complications arise.
Following are some symptoms of thrombosis to look for:
1. Thrombosis in the Lungs (Pulmonary Embolism)
2. Thrombosis in the Heart (Heart Attack)
3. Thrombosis in Brain or Neck (Stroke or Transient Ischaemic Attack or TIA)
4. Arterial Thrombosis in Leg or Arm
5. Venous Thrombosis in Leg or Arm
6. Thrombosis in Abdomen
Medical experts diagnose thrombosis based on the following:
The duration and recovery from a thrombotic event depend heavily on the location and size of the clot, how quickly treatment was received, and the extent of tissue damage. Recovery can be a lengthy process requiring medication, rehabilitation, and lifestyle changes. Some complications, like post-thrombotic syndrome after a DVT, can be long-lasting.
Here is the difference between Budd Chiari Syndrome and Portal Vein Thrombosis:
Parameters | Budd Chiari Syndrome (BDS) | Portal Vein Thrombosis (PVT) |
Location of the blood clot | In Budd Chiari Syndrome, the blood clot happens in the hepatic vein of the liver. These veins carry blood away from the liver. | In Portal Vein Thrombosis, the blood clots develop in the portal vein. These veins carry blood to the liver. |
Symptoms | The symptoms of BDS include Jaundice, Hepatomegaly, Splenomegaly, Oedema, abdominal pain, fatigue and liver failure. | The symptoms of PVT include vomiting with blood, bloated stomach, swelling in the leg and feet, cramping in the belly, and rectal bleeding. |
Causes | Rare blood cancers (Myeloproliferative neoplasms [MPNs]) that cause the body to make too many blood cells, Hypercoagulable disorders, sickle cell disease, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease can cause BDS. | The most common cause globally is liver cirrhosis. Slow blood flow in the liver, a Hypercoagulable state where blood is prone to clotting, and damage in the endothelium of the portal vein can cause PVT. |
Complications | Portal hypertension, Hepatocellular Carcinoma, and Variceal Hemorrhage are some of the complications of BDS. | Gastrointestinal bleeding, Esophageal varices, Splenomegaly, and Mesenteric ischemia are some of the complications of PVT. |
Health experts use different kinds of medications, surgeries and minimally invasive procedures to treat thrombosis. Here are some of them:
As soon as the clot gets removed, blood flow becomes normal, and patients start to feel better. In fact, for some patients, it only takes a few hours to recover. Therefore, it is recommended to ask for medical help as soon as you notice the symptoms.