Acute Arterial Thrombosis

Causes

The most common cause of acute arterial thrombosis is a blood clot that has traveled from another part of the body, often the heart, to an artery in the leg. This type of clot is called an embolus. Other causes of acute arterial thrombosis include:

• Atherosclerosis: This is a condition in which plaque builds up on the inner walls of the arteries, narrowing the passage and making it more likely for a clot to form.
• Injury to an artery: This can damage the lining of the artery and trigger clot formation.
• Certain medical conditions: These include atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disorder that increases the risk of blood clots, and hypercoagulability, a condition in which the blood is more likely to clot.

Symptoms

The symptoms of acute arterial thrombosis come on suddenly and worsen quickly. They can include:

• Severe pain in the affected limb
• Numbness or tingling in the limb
• Coldness in the limb
• Pale or bluish skin color in the limb
• Weakness or paralysis in the limb
• Skin breakdown or ulcers

Treatment

Acute arterial thrombosis is a medical emergency. Prompt treatment is essential to prevent tissue death and limb loss. Treatment options include:

• Thrombolytic therapy: This involves medication to dissolve the clot.
• Angioplasty and stenting: This procedure involves inserting a thin tube (catheter) into the artery to open the blockage and insert a stent to keep the artery open (Click here to read more on Angioplasty/stenting)
• Bypass surgery: This surgery involves creating a new passage for blood to flow around the blocked artery.

Prevention

There are a number of things you can do to reduce your risk of acute arterial thrombosis, including:

• Quitting smoking
• Eating a healthy diet
• Exercising regularly
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Controlling high blood pressure
• Managing diabetes
• If you have atrial fibrillation, taking blood thinners as prescribed by your doctor