Thrombus in the eye
Vascular occlusions in the eye are distinguished according to whether a vein or an artery is occluded. In the following, the most important occlusions caused by blood clots are briefly described. Arterial occlusion in the eye is usually caused by a blood clot being carried away from the heart (e.g. in atrial fibrillation) or by inflammation.
It is characterized by sudden, unilateral blindness in the affected eye. The patient is not in pain. The central artery or its smaller branches may be affected.
Venous occlusions in the eye usually develop more insidiously than arterial occlusions. Chronic processes are mainly involved in the formation of the blood clot. The clot is typically formed in the vein itself and is not carried from another part of the body. Risk factors for the formation of such clots in the eye veins are high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, arteriosclerosis or diseases of the eye such as glaucoma or retinal vasculitis (inflammation of the retina). Venous occlusion in the eye can sometimes be completely asymptomatic.
Thrombus in the lung
Blood clots in the lungs can lead to a life-threatening pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism is the occlusion of a pulmonary artery. There are different ways in which pulmonary embolism can occur.
The most common cause is embolism after venous thrombosis. Most commonly, the blood clot (thrombus) comes from the deep veins of the leg and pelvis and enters the lungs through the inferior vena cava. People with phlebothrombosis (thrombosis of the deep leg veins) are particularly at risk.
More rarely, a blood clot can also enter the lungs via the superior vena cava. This can typically happen during a hospital stay during which the patient receives central venous access. Typical for a pulmonary embolism is an acute onset.
Those affected breathe very quickly (“tachypnea”) and have difficulty breathing (“dyspnea”). In addition, they may experience breath-dependent chest pain, (blood) cough, fever and a rapid pulse. A sore throat and a drop in blood pressure can also occur.
The treatment of pulmonary embolism follows strict regimens, which differ mainly in whether a life-threatening condition or a stable patient is present. Thus, pulmonary embolism is usually an acutely life-threatening condition in which there is not much patients can do. It is advisable to lie down with a raised chest and remain calm until the rescue service arrives.
Thrombus in the heart
Blood clots can also have serious consequences in the heart. On the one hand, they can form there and be carried to other parts of the body, resulting in vascular occlusion, and on the other hand, the clots can also cause damage directly in the heart. Vascular changes in the context of atherosclerosis (vascular disease) lead to thrombotic vascular occlusion.
The composition of these clots is sometimes slightly different from other parts of the body, but the consequences are the same. Various basic risk factors such as diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure and excessive fat levels trigger the deposits on the vessel walls and the attachment of blood cells, so that clots ultimately form. These clots can lead to the typical angina pectoris symptoms such as tightness of the chest and shortness of breath in the context of coronary heart disease, but also to acute vascular occlusion and a resulting heart attack.
For both clinical pictures there are complex therapy schedules which, in addition to acute measures, also include the reduction of risk factors, such as weight reduction and a smoking ban, as well as anticoagulation with medication. In the case of cardiac arrhythmia, the heart sometimes beats very irregularly or rapidly. This can cause the blood to flow turbulently and lead to increased clot formation.
In the heart, atrial fibrillation in particular poses a great risk of such blood clots forming. These clots can be carried to the brain via the large blood vessels and thus lead to strokes. The kidneys and spleen are also at risk of suffering infarctions.
Therefore, it is absolutely necessary that people with atrial fibrillation receive a permanent anticoagulation of the blood. Typically, patients receive Marcumar®, which contains the active ingredient phenprocoumon. This drug is administered in tablet form.
