Combined Oral Contraceptives Bringing to Light May-Thurner Syndrome
Blood Clots News
Jan. 23, 2023 — Researchers have developed a new tool and technique that uses 'vortex ultrasound' -- a sort of ultrasonic tornado -- to break down blood clots in the brain. The new approach worked more ...
Dec. 13, 2022 — Researchers who identified a novel mechanism for platelet activation in pathogenic blood clotting (thrombosis) are now turning their attention to ...
Nov. 7, 2022 — A new study could change the treatment course for hundreds of thousands of patients, saving lives and preventing ...
Nov. 3, 2022 — Researchers have discovered a new role for the blood clotting protein, von Willebrand Factor (VWF), that could lead to the development of new treatments for patients with inflammatory and blood ...
Sep. 19, 2022 — When patients who are on a commonly prescribed blood thinner stop taking aspirin, their risk of bleeding complications drops significantly (more than 30%), a new study finds. Researchers say aspirin ...
Sep. 14, 2022 — Obese women who use oral contraceptives containing estrogen and progestin have a 24-fold increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) compared with non-obese women not using the drugs, according to ...
Aug. 23, 2022 — New research has provided greater insight into the causes of Long COVID syndrome. The findings further investigate the link between Long COVID and blood ...
Aug. 4, 2022 — A study from a COVID-19 cohort reveals an additional link between the immune system and blood clots, which could improve the treatment of critical ...
Aug. 3, 2022 — Researchers report on a novel function of vitamin K, which is generally known for its importance in blood clotting. The researchers discovered that the fully reduced form of vitamin K acts as an ...
June 10, 2022 — Around one in 500 men could be carrying an extra X or Y chromosome -- most of them unaware -- putting them at increased risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis and thrombosis, say ...
May 3, 2022 — This was the first time a blood clot had been found in an astronaut in space, so there was no established method of treatment for DVT in zero ...
Apr. 13, 2022 — A new study suggests that people with cancer and non-O blood types, such as types A, B, and AB, face an increased risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE), or blood clots in the veins, three ...
Mar. 11, 2022 — New research has revealed new information about how blood clots are formed during wound ...
Feb. 17, 2022 — Scientists have discovered that 'rogue' antibodies found circulating in the blood of COVID-19 patients have the potential to cause endothelial cells to lose their resistance to clotting. ...
Feb. 11, 2022 — Cerebral venous thrombosis is a rare, often severe disease that has been brought to public attention by the COVID-19 pandemic. A research group has now succeeded for the first time in deciphering a ...
Jan. 28, 2022 — Patients with COVID-19 in the intensive care unit (ICU) prescribed full-dose blood thinners are significantly more likely to experience heavy bleeding than patients prescribed a smaller yet equally ...
Jan. 26, 2022 — Biomedical researchers report that their latest innovation in developing synthetic platelets could help save lives by rapidly stabilizing clots to reduce blood loss from traumatic injuries. This new ...
Jan. 19, 2022 — Take breaks when binge-watching TV to avoid blood clots, say scientists. The warning comes as a study reports that watching TV for four hours a day or more is associated with a 35% higher risk of ...
Dec. 21, 2021 — Pulmonary embolisms are dangerous, lung-clogging blot clots. In a pilot study, scientists showed that artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms can detect signs of these clots in electrocardiograms ...
Dec. 9, 2021 — Two complementary studies show that defibrotide can successfully suppress the formation and progression of neutrophil extracellular traps, or NETs, which are web-like networks of toxic proteins that ...
Man's Genitals Suffer Severe Pain After Covid-19 Due To Blood Clots
Man self isolating at home
gettyMaintaining Covid-19 precautions may seem like a pain. But at least it's not a pain in the penis. A case report published in the journal Clinical Case Reports described how a man developed a hard-to-deal-with problem after being diagnosed with Covid-19.
His Covid-19 diagnosis came after he had tested positive for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on a nasopharyngeal swab test. His early symptoms were relatively mild, including some muscle pain, fever, cough, and fatigue. He didn't take any medications for the Covid-19 and hadn't suffered any physical trauma to his penis, which men tend to remember. Men don't typically say, "Hmm, I can't quite tell if I was just kicked in the genitals."
Based on the case report, it seemed like this married man refrained from sex with anyone during the time that one is typically contagious. However, three weeks after his positive test, he decided to test his, ahem, hardware for the first time since his Covid-19 diagnosis. He stood ready to engage in what's called intercourse when he experienced significant penile pain that extended to his groin and back to the area in front of his anus.
While the pain was worst when his penis was erect, it also persisted when it wasn't. This wasn't the kind of pain that he could simply shake off, so to speak. Therefore, after three days of this groin concern, he saw a urologist. The urologist ordered an ultrasound, which showed blood clots in his deep dorsal penile vein. The medical term for blood clots is thrombosis. The non-medical reaction to such a condition might be "ouch!"
His doctor began treating the man with a blood thinner, 15 mg of rivaroxaban two times a day. Two months later, most of his symptoms had resolved. He still had a smaller old clot left in the veins—associated with a little bit of pain.
This certainly wouldn't be the first time Covid-19 has led to blood clots. As described by the case report authors (Seyed Morteza Bagheri and Zhale Tabrizi, two radiologists from the Iran University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran), studies have shown that somewhere between 20% to 50% of patients hospitalized with Covid-19 infections have abnormal results on blood clotting tests. These include elevated levels of D-dimer, prolonged prothrombin time, prolonged clotting time, thrombocytopenia, and low fibrinogen levels. This may be due either directly to the viruses' effects or the body's immune response to the viruses.
A man wearing a cutout mask while protesting against Covid-19 precautions. (Photo by Karen ... [+] Ducey/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesNow, your penis should have two general types of veins, assuming that you have a penis. Otherwise your body wouldn't be able to drain blood from your penis, which would result in a long standing problem. While arteries bring blood to your penis, veins are what allow the blood to leave your penis. Superficial dorsal veins are veins that closer to the surface and drain blood from the skin and soft subcutaneous tissue of your penis.
By contrast, deep dorsal veins are the ones the drain the deeper structures within your penis such as the glans, corpus spongiosum, and the distal two thirds of the corpora cavernosa. While there have already been reports of blood clots in the superficial venous systems of people's penises following SARS-CoV-2 infections, this apparently was the first reported case of deep dorsal penile vein thrombosis.
So, this case is yet another member of the "how Covid-19 may affect your penis" club. Thrombosis in a deep penile vein may be quite rare. However, I have already covered for Forbes how a man with Covid-19 had an erection lasting longer than four hours, which may be rare as well, and how men who have had Covid-19 have had erectile dysfunction and low sperm counts and motility, which may be more common. None of these are likely to result from wearing face masks, unless you happen to be wearing them in the wrong place and in a very wrong way. And there hasn't been evidence of Covid-19 vaccines affecting penises to similar degrees. So, why not follow recommended Covid-19 precautions like wearing face masks and getting vaccinated? After all, you don't want to worry about miscounts and rigged erections, so to speak.
Blood Clot In Heart: Cardiac Thrombosis Vs Coronary Thrombosis
Medically reviewed by Jeffrey S. Lander, MD
Blood clots can form both in the heart's chamber (intracardiac thrombosis) and the coronary arteries that feed the heart (coronary artery thrombosis). A blood clot in the heart's chambers can break apart and lodge into other arteries, such as the coronary arteries, leading to a heart attack. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. A blood clot in the heart's chambers isn't the same type of emergency but requires treatment to prevent complications.
This article will discuss the types of blood clots that can happen in the heart, symptoms to look for, and treatment considerations.
Blood Clot in the Heart: Formation and ComplicationsIntracardiac thrombus is a blood clot that occurs in the heart's chambers. The heart has four chambers: two upper chambers and two lower chambers. Common places for a blood clot in the heart are the left atrial appendage, an ear-shaped area off the upper left chamber of the heart, or the left ventricle, the main pumping chamber of the heart that pumps blood out to the body. Blood clots can also form on the right side of the heart, but often, they travel there from veins in the legs.
These blood clots can break apart and "embolize" or travel out of the heart chamber, leading to life-threatening complications:
Travel to the coronary arteries, leading to heart attack
Travel to the brain, leading to stroke
Travel to the arteries in the abdomen, leading to intestinal ischemia
Travel to arteries in the leg, leading to acute limb ischemia
Travel to the pulmonary arteries, leading to pulmonary embolism
The main risk factor for left atrial appendage thrombosis is atrial fibrillation. This is an arrhythmia, or abnormal heart rhythm, in which the heart's upper chambers quiver instead of fully contracting in an organized pattern. This leads to stagnant blood in the appendage, which causes clot formation ( thrombosis). Risk factors for atrial fibrillation include:
The heart's main pumping chambers, the ventricles, are another site where thrombosis can occur. It's often caused when blood stagnates along parts of the heart that don't contract well or when foreign material exists in the heart. Risk factors include:
Risk factors for blood clots in the right side of the heart and pulmonary embolism include:
Deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot in large veins)
Cancer
Recent surgery
Obesity
Taking certain hormone-containing medications, like estrogen-containing birth control
Pregnancy
Blood clots in the heart may not cause any symptoms. However, when a blood clot in the heart travels and lodges in, or embolizes to, the coronary artery, it causes a heart attack. Symptoms of a heart attack include the following:
Chest pressure or discomfort that may radiate to the neck, jaw, or arm
Shortness of breath
Nausea
Lightheadedness or dizziness
Fatigue
If you experience symptoms of a heart attack, call 9-1-1 immediately for an ambulance to transport you to an emergency room for evaluation—every minute counts during a heart attack.
Atrial fibrillation is a common cause of blood clots in the left atrium. The blood clot itself does not cause any symptoms, but people with atrial fibrillation may experience:
Blood clots in the right side of the heart can cause pulmonary embolism. These often originate in the legs, known as deep vein thrombosis. Symptoms to watch for include:
Leg swelling, redness, and pain
Shortness of breath
Chest pain that is worse with taking a deep breath
Fast heart rate
Fast breathing
Coughing up blood
The treatment for a blood clot in the heart depends on its location. Intracardiac thrombus, a blood clot in the heart's chambers, is generally treated with anticoagulant medications (blood thinners). More powerful blood thinners that break up the clot, known as thrombolytics, are used in some cases.
The use of blood thinning medications to treat intracardiac thrombi lowers the risk of complications due to embolism. Jantoven (warfarin) is the preferred medication for blood clots in the left heart chambers. Direct oral anticoagulant medications (DOACs), such as Eliquis (apixaban), or Xarelto (rivaroxaban) may be considered in some cases. Anticoagulation medications are typically taken for at least three to six months. After that time, imaging tests can be performed to see if the thrombus is still in the heart to guide further treatment. Some people may need lifelong blood thinners.
In the event of a heart attack, a cardiologist (heart doctor) may perform a cardiac catheterization and place a stent to open up the blood vessels. Antiplatelet medications, such as aspirin and Plavix (clopidogrel), Brillinta (ticagrelor), or Effient (prasugrel), are given to help keep the stent open and prevent more blood clots.
In some cases, a surgeon may perform a procedure called a thrombectomy. This procedure involves the use of special instruments to remove the blood clot.
How Do Doctors Diagnose Blood Clots in the Heart?Healthcare providers diagnose blood clots in the heart chambers using imaging. One common test is the echocardiogram, which uses sound waves to produce images of the heart, allowing for evaluation of its structure and function. A more invasive type of ultrasound, known as a transesophageal echocardiogram, is needed to diagnose blood clots in the atrial appendage.
Other imaging tests, such as computed tomography scans (CAT scans) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can also show blood clots in the heart. However, the coronary arteries are much harder to see using ultrasound. Blood clots in these areas are diagnosed using coronary angiography with cardiac catheterization, a procedure that also allows for immediate treatment.
Can It Dissolve on Its Own?The body does have a mechanism for breaking down blood clots on its own. However, leaving a blood clot to dissolve on its own carries the risk of life-threatening complications, including strokes and heart attacks. Treatment with blood thinners can help the clot dissolve more quickly, prevent more clots from forming, and lower the risk of embolism.
Your healthcare provider can determine the appropriate treatment for your situation.
Factors That Affect Survival and Ability to RecoverIn many cases, blood clots can be successfully treated. However, blood clots in the heart may be more likely to embolize and cause complications in certain situations:
Mobile thrombus (meaning it is moving independently from the heart's contraction)
Protrusion into the left ventricle
Failure of thrombus to improve with blood thinners
The treatment timeline also affects mortality. For example, for coronary thrombosis, a delay in treatment increases the mortality rate.
Post-Coronary Thrombosis (Heart Attack) ConsiderationsAfter a heart attack, the risk of additional heart attacks or stroke increases. Lifelong treatment with medications and lifestyle changes can lower the risk of experiencing complications. These include:
Taking antiplatelet medications like aspirin
Taking cholesterol-lowering medications like statins
Controlling blood pressure with medications when needed
Getting regular exercise and staying as active as possible
Eating a heart-healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains and low in processed foods and saturated fats
Quitting smoking
Getting enough good quality sleep
Managing weight
Controlling blood sugar
If you develop a blood clot in your heart, you will need to follow up with a cardiologist regularly. For intracardiac thrombi, your healthcare provider can review imaging tests to ensure the clot goes away with treatment and help manage any underlying conditions that led to the formation of the blood clot, such as heart failure or atrial fibrillation.
For those with intracoronary thrombus or heart attack, regular follow-up with your healthcare provider is needed to monitor your condition and help lower your risk of future complications. Your healthcare team will carefully monitor your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.
Certain preventable measures can help keep your heart as healthy as possible. These include:
Getting regular exercise and staying as active as possible
Eating a heart-healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains and low in processed foods and saturated fats
Controlling blood pressure
Controlling cholesterol levels
Quitting smoking
Getting enough good quality sleep
Managing weight
Controlling blood sugar
In summary, blood clots can occur in the heart's chambers (intracardiac thrombus) or the coronary arteries feeding the heart (coronary artery thrombosis). Clots in the heart chambers may not cause any symptoms but can break apart and travel to the coronary arteries, leading to a heart attack. Early detection and treatment of blood clots in the heart with blood thinners can prevent complications like heart attack and stroke.
A heart attack is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment to prevent complications like arrhythmias and death. If you experience symptoms of a heart attack, such as chest discomfort that may radiate to the neck, jaw, or arm, nausea, or shortness of breath, seek medical attention immediately.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
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