Question

What are the major changes characteristic of Virchow's triad that can lead to thrombus formation?

a) Blood flow stasis, endothelial injury, hypercoagulation
b) Decreased circulating volume, pooling in the extremities, increased autonomic response
c) Increased cardiac workload, myocardial oxygen consumption
d) Surpressed immune response, decreased WBC count

Answer 1

Virchow's triad consists of blood flow stasis, endothelial injury, and hypercoagulability, which are major changes that lead to thrombus formation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The major changes characteristic of Virchow's triad that can lead to thrombus formation are a) Blood flow stasis, endothelial injury, and hypercoagulability. These elements contribute to the development of a thrombus, which is an aggregation of platelets, erythrocytes, and white blood cells (WBCs) typically trapped within a mass of fibrin strands.

Blood flow stasis occurs often in the veins of the legs when blood remains stationary for long periods, which can happen during long flights or other situations where movement is limited. Endothelial injury can result from several factors, including atherosclerosis and trauma, which activate the clotting mechanism. Hypercoagulability, or thrombophilia, is the condition where there is an increased tendency for the blood to clot, which can be genetic or acquired through conditions like lupus, polycythemia vera, or even lifestyle factors such as obesity.