What are the components of Virchow's triad?

Virchow's triad describes the three primary factors that contribute to the formation of venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). These components are stasis of blood flow, vascular injury, and a hypercoagulable state.

Stasis refers to the slowing or pooling of blood in the veins, which can occur in situations such as prolonged immobility, heart failure, or venous obstruction. This stagnation allows for more time for clotting factors to accumulate and increase the risk of clot formation.

Vascular injury encompasses any damage to the endothelial lining of blood vessels, which can be caused by trauma, surgery, or chemical irritation. Such injury exposes subendothelial tissue and promotes thrombosis, as platelets aggregate to the site of injury and initiate the coagulation cascade.

A hypercoagulable state is characterized by an increased tendency for blood to clot, which can arise from inherited conditions (such as Factor V Leiden mutation or antithrombin III deficiency), cancer, pregnancy, or certain medications (like oral contraceptives). This state predisposes individuals to developing abnormal clots even in the absence of other risk factors.

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