Arterial thrombosis of the lower extremities is a common and extremely dangerous pathology, which is accompanied by the formation of blood clots (in other words, blood clots) on the walls of blood vessels. Sometimes a clot completely blocks the blood flow through the affected artery, which leads to the rapid development of ischemia. Moreover, a blood clot can break away from the wall and, together with a blood stream, enter almost any part of the circulatory system.
Of course, many people are looking for more information. Why does thrombosis of veins and arteries of the lower extremities develop? What symptoms are accompanied by pathology? What treatment methods can a doctor offer? The answers to these questions are worth exploring.
Arterial thrombosis of the lower extremities: ICD-10, general description
First, of course, you need to deal with general information about the disease. According to ICD-10, the disease is assigned the code I74.4. As already mentioned, thrombosis of the arteries of the lower extremities is a disease that is accompanied by the formation of blood clots on the walls of blood vessels. What is it?
A blood clot is a blood clot formed by gluing platelets. It grows gradually until the moment when it completely blocks the lumen of the vessel and blocks the blood flow. Of course, this is a serious condition, which in no case should be ignored. That is why it is important to consider its main causes and symptoms.
The main causes of the development of pathology
Many people are interested in information about why lower extremity arterial thrombosis develops. In fact, such a pathology is rarely an independent disease. According to statistics, most often thrombosis is a complication of another disease:
- Potentially dangerous are injuries of the walls of the vessel. If the artery was damaged (for example, during surgery, fracture, injury), tissue thromboplastin, a substance that contributes to the formation of blood clots, enters the bloodstream.
- A clot can form with a decrease in blood flow velocity, which, again, is observed after operations, as well as against the background of chronic arterial hypotension.
- Potentially dangerous are erythremia and thrombophilia, against which blood coagulates faster.
- Thrombophlebitis and thrombosis of the arteries of the lower extremities often affect cancer patients, since such pathologies are associated with impaired blood coagulation. Moreover, the used aggressive treatment methods (chemotherapy) lead to damage to the walls of blood vessels, which, again, stimulates the formation of blood clots.
- Risk factors include obesity. Subcutaneous fatty structures trigger the synthesis of leptin, which causes platelet adhesion.
- Various bacterial infections, in particular pneumonia, sepsis, can lead to the development of thrombosis. Purulent wounds and abscesses are dangerous.
- Platelet adhesion occurs against the background of hormonal disorders. For example, women often suffer from thrombosis during pregnancy, as well as in the postpartum period. Sexual gland diseases, oral contraceptives - all this creates the prerequisites for the formation of blood clots.
What symptoms should I look for?
Many people go to the doctor complaining that their toes are numb. The reasons may lie just in progressive thrombosis. But this is not the only sign of the disease. There are other symptoms that you need to pay attention to:
- Sometimes at the site of localization of the thrombus, pain appears, which can be aching or sharp in nature.
- The skin on the affected limb turns pale. In the absence of therapy, the tissues become cyanotic and are often covered with dark spots.
- The list of symptoms includes swelling of the affected limb.
- Partial loss of mobility occurs. For example, it is difficult for a person to walk or bend his leg at the knee. If untreated, complete paralysis may develop.
Toes go numb? The reasons may lie just in the development of thrombosis. At first, numbness covers only the fingers, but as the disease progresses, the entire limb becomes numb.
Of course, violations appear gradually. Thrombosis often develops over many months or even years.
Features of the clinical picture, depending on the stage of development of the disease
Symptoms of thrombosis of the arteries of the lower extremities, or rather, the degree of their severity and intensity, directly depends on the phase of development of the disease. In modern medicine, there are three stages:
- The first stage often proceeds without any symptoms. Occasionally, patients complain of pain in the affected limb. There is also a slight numbness, loss of sensitivity. Discomfort can occur both at rest and after physical exertion.
- In the second stage, the muscles become weak. The limb partially loses the ability to move. Often, thrombosis at this stage is accompanied by paralysis, as well as the formation of edema of the muscles and muscle membranes.
- The third stage is accompanied by a complete loss of mobility of the affected limb.
Acute blockage of an artery and ischemia
A blood clot creates an obstruction, slowing down the flow of blood. But sometimes a clot completely blocks the lumen of the artery. In this case, we are talking about complete blockage. Symptoms appear unexpectedly, and their intensity increases very quickly.
At first there is a strong, sharp pain that does not go away. The skin in the affected area quickly turns pale, and then acquires a bluish tint. The limb becomes cold to the touch. On palpation of the affected vessel, you may notice a lack of pulse.
If the bloodstream is completely blocked, then an acute deficiency of oxygen and nutrients develops, which leads to ischemia. First of all, the death of nerve cells occurs, after which the muscle structures begin to break down. Muscle necrosis is an indication for limb amputation.
Ultrasound of arteries and veins of the lower extremities: price and description of the procedure
When the above symptoms appear, patients are sent for ultrasound examination of the vessels of the lower extremities. In fact, this is a simple, affordable and painless procedure. During the examination, the doctor has the opportunity to examine the vessels, assess their patency, measure blood flow velocity, as well as identify blood clots and determine their exact location.
How much does ultrasound of the arteries and veins of the lower extremities cost? The price, of course, depends on the clinic you have chosen, the equipment used and other factors. On average, the cost of the procedure ranges from 1700 to 2500 rubles.
Other diagnostic measures
Of course, the diagnosis of thrombosis should be comprehensive. Of course, ultrasound helps to detect a blood clot, but it is important to determine the cause of thrombosis, the degree of damage to certain tissues:
- First, the patient is interviewed and a general examination. Already during this period, the doctor may note changes in skin color, lack of pulse. Various tests are carried out to determine the level of sensitivity.
- Next, the patient is referred for ultrasound.
- If a blood clot was detected during an ultrasound examination, then additional dopplerography is performed, as well as angiography to check the patency of the vessels.
- The patient is referred for bronchography and bronchoscopy in order to determine the presence or absence of a tumor in the lungs.
- Computed tomography is also recommended - this helps to diagnose various oncological diseases.
Conservative therapy
Immediately it is worth saying that the treatment of thrombosis of arteries of the lower extremities is carried out only surgically. Conservative therapy, however, is necessary both before surgery and during rehabilitation.
In addition, drug treatment is carried out if the patient is older than 80 years old or if he has severe pathologies that make surgical intervention impossible. If we are talking about a mild form of the disease, then conservative therapy is also possible, but in most cases, alas, it does not give the desired results.
A person is once administered a large dose of heparin, which slows down the process of blood coagulation. Antispasmodics are also administered intramuscularly, for example, Halidor and No-Shpa. Large doses of saline are administered to the patient intravenously - this helps to increase blood volume, while lowering the concentration of blood cells.
Surgery
As already mentioned, in most cases, the disease requires surgical intervention. First of all, the doctor removes blood clots that clog vessels. In addition, during the operation it is important to restore the normal size of the lumen of the artery, thereby ensuring good blood flow. Angioplasty allows you to restore the walls of blood vessels.
Postoperative complications. Predictions for Patients
Often, the surgery ends well, although a long rehabilitation period follows after the procedure. The most dangerous complication is postischemic syndrome. Pathology is accompanied by a strong, rapidly forming edema of the limb. The pressure in the arteries of the leg drops sharply. The syndrome sometimes ends with the development of renal and pulmonary failure, cardiac arrest.
The development of thromboembolism is possible - the thrombus breaks off and, together with the blood stream, can enter almost any vessel, causing it to become completely blocked.
Unfortunately, the forecasts are not so favorable. According to statistics, in about 30% of cases, patients require amputation of the affected limb. About 30-40% of people who have undergone a similar procedure, later face various postoperative complications, which sometimes ends fatally.
In any case, a patient with thrombosis takes anticoagulants throughout life. A person must regularly undergo medical examinations and take tests.