4.2 Femoral Venous Thrombosis

• What condition is caused by clotting in leg veins due to immobility?

  Femoral venous thrombosis
• Why does immobility lead to intravascular clotting?

  It causes blood stasis in leg veins
• What happens to a clot that grows in the leg veins?

  It can disengage and cause pulmonary embolism
• How often does a large part of the clot disengage and cause pulmonary embolism?

  About 1 out of every 10 times
• What is massive pulmonary embolism?

  Blockage of pulmonary arteries by a clot
• What can happen if both pulmonary arteries are occluded by a clot?

  Immediate death ensues
• What may occur if only one pulmonary artery is blocked?

  Death may occur later or not at all
• What can lead to death after a pulmonary embolism?

  Further growth of the clot in vessels
• What therapy can be lifesaving in cases of pulmonary embolism?

  t-PA therapy