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Thrombosis Overview
Thrombosis is the formation of blood clots inside of a blood vessel. This condition can cause a range of problems because blood clots prevent blood from flowing through the body.
When blood flow is blocked for too long in a limb, tissue can die. When a blood clot travels to the heart, a heart attack or other cardiac event can occur, which can be life-threatening. Similarly, when a blood clot travels to the brain, a stroke can occur, which can be damaging or life-threatening. Pulmonary embolism can also result from thrombosis.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
When a blood clot forms in a major vein, usually in the leg, this condition is known as deep vein thrombosis. Deep vein thrombosis is often a more severe form of thrombosis. Symptoms can include discomfort in the legs, skin changes, and swelling.
People with deep vein thrombosis are at risk for developing post-thrombotic syndrome, a condition that can result in heaviness/fatigue, skin discoloration, and venous ulcers.
Causes of Thrombosis
Thrombosis can be caused by a number of factors. In some cases, it can result when a person is immobile for a long period of time, like during a long plane flight, due to mobility problems, due to fatigue, or other issues.
Thrombosis can also result if a person’s blood clots too easily, a condition known as hypercoagulability.
In some cases, thrombosis can result if there has been vessel wall damage, often after surgeries like orthopedic surgery and total knee replacement.
Other conditions that can be connected to thrombosis are cancer, age, pregnancy, increased oral estrogen levels, obesity, smoking, and Crohn’s disease.
Thrombosis can be due to hereditary factors, including the Factor V Leiden genetic mutation.
Medications and Thrombosis
It is possible that thrombosis may be linked to the use of some medications. On February 25, 2019, the Food and Drug Administration announced that research suggests that patients taking Xeljanz or Xeljanz XR, a drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic conditions, may be at increased risk for blood clots.
As thrombosis is a condition linked to blood clots, Xeljanz and Xeljaz XR may be linked to thrombosis.
The link between Xeljanz, Xeljanz XR and blood clots may raise concerns for patients.
In fact, health authorities in Europe have rejected Xeljanz over a number of concerns, noting that that the drug may be linked to increased risks of cancer, high blood pressure, infections, liver damage, and internal stomach bleeding, in addition to blood clots.
The FDA warns, “patients should not stop or change your dose of tofacitinib [Xeljanz] whiteout first talking to your health care professional, as doing so may worsen your condition. Patients taking tofacitinib should seek medical attention immediately if you experience symptoms of a blood clot in your lungs or other unusual symptoms.”
Thrombosis Treatment
The most common treatment available for thrombosis is for a patient to take an anticoagulant, which is used to block the formation of new clots. Over time, the body’s natural processes will usually dissolve existing clots. Some blood clots, however, do not go away.
In the case of serious blood clots, the clot can be removed surgically, but this increases the risk of further clotting.
