Background
Arterial thrombosis is a condition that develops in the artery, whereby blood clotting is experienced. If untreated, the disorder can lead to the deaths of patients since it alters blood flow in vital body organs. For instance, the illness can cause blockage of arteries that circulate blood in the brain and the heart. Additionally, most of the deaths associated with arterial thrombosis involve cardiovascular diseases. Muscle pain, known as angina, can also occur when blood clotting is experienced in arteries leading to the heart. Arterial thrombosis can develop in people of different ages. However, older people are at higher risks of being affected by the condition compared to young people.
Risk Factors
Various aspects can increase the risks of an individual developing arterial thrombosis. Some of the risk factors are an unhealthy diet, smoking, being obese, a lack of exercise (Prandoni, 2016). Other common disorders, such as diabetes and high cholesterol, are also risk factors. Old age is another contributing condition since many older people do not focus on body exercise, increasing their fat accumulation chances in the arteries (Prandoni, 2016). A family history of arterial thrombosis is another risk factor that health practitioners have revealed. Men are also termed to be at higher risk of developing arterial thrombosis than women.
Pathophysiology Process
Arterial thrombosis does not usually have symptoms until a limited flow of blood to body parts is encountered. Nonetheless, chest pain can be experienced when blood flow to the heart muscle is blocked (Prandoni, 2016). Shortness of breath can also be encountered in some cases. Dizziness due to a lack of adequate blood in some organs is another common symptom. Some patients suffer from limb ischemia when the supply of blood to the limb is blocked (Prandoni, 2016). Other people also experience pain in the limbs, and they can turn pale and cold. Swelling of legs is also common in patients with arterial thrombosis due to inadequate blood flow in the limbs. The alteration of cells and the body in adapting to the condition leads to swelling of organs and color changes.
Diagnostic Procedures
Health practitioners have developed procedures that are used in the diagnosis of arterial thrombosis. Using an angiogram is one of the approaches used to detect affected organs (Gresele et al., 2017). It examines the blood vessels to determine abnormalities that can lead to a blood clot. Doppler ultrasound exam of an extremity is another approach exercised to detect the condition. The approach enables medical practitioners to monitor blood flow in the body.
Doctors also use Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) since it takes the body’s image and can locate blood clots. Health practitioners can use plethysmography during the diagnostic procedure since it measures changes in blood pressure and blood flow (Gresele et al., 2017). Consequently, approach allows clinicians to determine whether a patient has developed arterial thrombosis, leading to blood flow changes. Early detection of the condition is essential since it allows medics to prevent further complications and increased blood clots.
Nursing Interventions/Treatments
Health care providers have revealed various approaches exercised to treat arterial thrombosis. One technique physicians practice to treat the condition is by using thrombolytic injections to dissolve blood clots (Gresele et al., 2017). Many doctors prefer using the vaccination since it does not involve different procedures that may lead to a long-term healing process. The affected artery can also be widened through an operation to allow blood flow.
For instance, an angioplasty is exercised to ensure that artery remains open. Surgery to divert blood around the blocked artery is another nursing intervention exercised by doctors (Gresele et al., 2017). In this case, a blood vessel taken from another part of the body is used to bypass a blockage in the artery that supplies the heart muscle. Educating people about the need to exercise and keep their weight healthy is another essential nursing intervention.
References
Gresele, P., Kleiman, N. S., Lopez, J. A., & Page, C. P. (Eds.). (2017). Platelets in thrombotic and non-thrombotic disorders: Pathophysiology, pharmacology, and therapeutics. Springer.
Prandoni, P. (2016). Venous and arterial thrombosis: Is there a link? In: M. Islam (Ed), Thrombosis and Embolism: from Research to Clinical Practice. Advances in experimental medicine and biology (pp. 273-283). Springer, Cham.