Thrombosis prevention

Thrombosis prevention
Intervention
a blood clot blocking a blood vessel
ICD-10-PCS	I80-I82
ICD-9-CM	437.6, 453, 671.5, 671.9
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Thrombosis prevention, also known as thrombosis prophylaxis, are treatments to prevent the formation of blood clots inside a blood vessel. Some people are at a higher risk for the formation of blood clots than others. Prevention measures or interventions are usually begun after surgery as people are at higher risk due to immobility. There are medication-based interventions and non-medication-based interventions. The risk of developing blood clots can be modified by life style modifications, the discontinuation of oral contraceptives, and weight loss. In those at high risk both interventions are often used. The treatments to prevent the formation of blood clots is balanced against the risk of bleeding.

One of the goals of blood clot prevention is to limit venous stasis(VS) as this is a significant risk factor for forming blood clots in the deep veins of the legs. Venous stasis can occur during the long periods of not moving. Thrombosis prevention is also recommended during air travel. Thrombosis prophylaxis is effective in preventing the formation of blood clots, their lodging in the veins, and their developing into thromboemboli that can travel through the circulatory system to cause blockage and subsequent tissue death in other organs.Clarence Crafoord is credited with the first use of thrombosis prophylaxis in the 1930s.

The development of blood clots can be interrupted and prevented by the use of medication, changing risk factors and other interventions. Some risk factors can be modified. These would be losing weight, increasing exercise and the cessation of oral contraceptives. Moving during periods of travel is a modifiable behavior. Preventing blood clots includes the use of medications that interrupt the complex clotting cascade and changing the proteins that are needed for clotting. Antiplatelet drugs also have an affect in preventing the formation of clots.