Limit the formation of blood clots after surgery

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted with Master, Doctor Bui Tien Dat - Emergency Department - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.
Blood clot formation after surgery is a phenomenon that helps prevent bleeding after surgery. However, many times, blood clots that form inside the blood vessels can also travel to your lungs and cause pulmonary embolism, or move to the brain to cause cerebral embolism.... Therefore, a plan is needed. Helps limit the formation of blood clots after surgery to prevent complications caused by blood clots.

1. What is a blood clot?

Blood clots (thrombosis) are the result of blood clotting, the purpose of which is to prevent excessive blood loss during injuries.
When the body is injured, there is a risk of bleeding, platelets and plasma together participate in the process of stopping bleeding, forming blood clots in the injured area to prevent blood outflow outside the vessel. Once the wound has healed, the clots will fall off and dissolve, releasing platelets, blood cells.
However, in some cases, blood clots form in the blood vessels, they can travel and interfere with the flow of blood to vital organs, including the heart and brain.
Schools can form blood clots such as: Atrial fibrillation, after surgery, atherosclerosis ...

2. Why do blood clots form after surgery?

People at high risk of developing blood clots after surgery: Smokers, have a history of venous thromboembolism, are overweight or obese, have a blood clot in a family member, are pregnant pregnant, have a disorder affecting blood clotting, are taking hormone therapy. Due to inactivity during and after surgery. Muscle movements are needed to support the pumping of blood to the heart. Your immobilization causes blood to accumulate in the lower parts of your body, usually your legs and hips, which can lead to blood clots. Surgery makes it possible for peripheral molecules to enter the bloodstream, such as tissue debris, collagen, and fat. When blood comes into contact with these foreign agents, the blood responds by coagulating. Surgery involves scraping or cutting the bone, which can release substances called antigens. These antigens activate the body's immune system and lead to blood clots. Blood clots can form after any procedure, but it's more likely if you've had major surgery, especially on the abdomen, pelvis, hips, or legs.

3. Symptoms caused by blood clots after surgery

Blood clots can travel through the circulatory system causing embolism anywhere, but deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are the two most likely complications.
Common symptoms of blood clot formation include:
Heart: Causes chest pain, arm numbness, irritability, sweating, nausea. Cerebral embolism: Severe headache, dizziness followed by weakness in half of the body, numbness in half of the body. May be accompanied by facial paralysis, difficulty speaking, vision and hearing disorders... Vascular occlusion: Sudden or frequent pain in the extremities, swelling, tightness and heat. Pulmonary embolism: Chest pain, heart palpitations or rapid breathing, rapid breathing, sweating, fever, coughing up blood. It is a dangerous complication with high mortality. Abdomen: Severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea.

4. Restrictions on blood clot formation after surgery

Before surgery
Should stop smoking, increase exercise if possible. Report to the doctor about blood clotting disorders, previous blood clots, diabetes, high blood pressure... are diseases with a higher risk of blood clots after surgery. . Get tested to assess your risk of blood clots. After surgery
Using drugs to reduce blood clot formation such as: Aspirin has an antiplatelet effect, blood thinners such as heparin, warfarin ... are used to treat conditions where too many clots are formed. blood clots, preventing blood clots from growing larger. In case the patient has a high risk of blood clot formation, it is necessary to closely monitor and control, if there is a risk of pulmonary embolism, the doctor can use thrombolytic drugs. If possible after surgery, you should exercise and walk soon to reduce the risk of blood clots. To limit the formation of blood clots after surgery, it is common to use drugs and exercise early after surgery if agreed by the doctor. Note that after surgery, if there are signs of suspicion caused by a blood clot, you should immediately contact your doctor for timely examination, advice and treatment.
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