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Prevention
About thrombosis
Arterial thrombosis
Treatment of arterial thrombosis
Atheromatous heart disease
A number of treatments are available for atheromatous
heart disease. These include thrombolytic, or 'clot-busting' drugs;
cardiac stenting; and coronary artery bypass grafting.
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Thrombolytic drugs
If someone has had a heart attack, they may be offered thrombolytic
drugs, or 'clot-busters'. These are given as an intravenous injection that
breaks down the clot in the coronary artery, opens up the artery and allows
blood to flow again.
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Cardiac stenting
Cardiac stenting involves widening a narrowed artery with a balloon
and then placing a stent (a tube made from stainless steel mesh) inside
it, to prevent the artery from narrowing again.
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Coronary artery bypass grafting
Coronary artery bypass grafting involves cardiac surgery, where a vein
from the legs, or from another artery inside the chest, is used to bypass
a narrowed area of coronary artery.
Ischaemic
stroke
During the last 25 years there have been major advances in treatment
for ischaemic stroke. This is mostly due to advances in brain imaging and
the development of trials, studying the use of antithrombotic drugs.
At present 'clot-busting' treatment is available in a few centres. However this treatment is not always successful following a stroke, as in some cases there is bleeding into the area of damaged brain.
Other treatments include aspirin and drugs to control blood
pressure.
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© Lifeblood: The Thrombosis Charity 2003-2006. A
company limited by guarantee. Registered Company No: 4354472.
Registered Charity No: 1090540
