Microtears in venous valve sinuses - Initiation of Venous thrombosis

Vein


Valves 




These are very important structures in the veins facilitating the unidirectional flow in the veins against the gravity, when we humans stand erect and walk or run. These valve are protected by the valve cusps which are usually two in number. The vein walls are slightly bulged on either side of the cusps and form sinuses. When the pressure increases in the veins with the valves closed without permitting the reflux of blood downwards, the venous valve sinuses get stretched to absorb these abnormal pressures. When pressures are too high there can be microtears in their wall and that results in initiation of thrombotic process in venous valve sinus and later propagates depending on the coagulability of blood and blood products. This results in the deep vein thrombosis and it can lead to life threatening complication pulmonary embolism ( spread of clots in to lung veins). Medical specialists from different specialities are looking at the possibility of preventing initiation of thrombosis without risking the safety of their patients by adding bleeding complications.

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From
VAICON 2009
Pinjala R K
pinjala@hotmail.com