Vascular thrombus

Vascular thrombus is an uncommon pathology specimen that may be from an artery or vein.

Venous thrombus and arterial thrombus redirect here.

General

• Uncommonly comes to pathology.

Risk factors - think Virchow's triad:

• Stasis, e.g. atrial fibrillation.
• Hypercoagulable states, e.g. cancer - see risks factors venous thromboembolism.
• Endothelial injury.

Gross

See pulmonary embolism.

Features:

• Dull appearance.
• Laminations.

Microscopic

Features:

• Layers consisting of platelets and fibrin.
  • Classically alternating with layers of RBCs - known as Lines of Zahn.

Note:

• Multiple laminations (layers), in general, suggest that clot was formed in a dynamic environment, i.e. in the context of blood flow.

DDx:

• Tumour embolus - malignant cells.
• Thromboembolus - may require clinical history.
• Fat embolism.
• Amniotic fluid embolus - in the context of pregnancy/postpartum.
• Foreign body.

Images

• 

  Laminated thrombus - low mag. (WC)

• 

  Laminated thrombus - high mag. (WC)

www

• Lines of Zahn (utah.edu).
• Lines of Zahn (ucsf.edu).

Sign out

BLOOD CLOT, LEFT ILIAC ARTERY, THROMBECTOMY:
- THROMBUS.
- NEGATIVE FOR MALIGNANCY.

BLOOD CLOT, LEFT ARM - BRACHIAL ARTERY, THROMBECTOMY/EMBOLECTOMY:
- THROMBUS.
- NEGATIVE FOR MALIGNANCY.

Micro

The sections show layers of red blood cells alternating with fibrin and white blood cells (Lines of Zahn).

See also

• Cardiovascular pathology.
• Ditzels.