A spontaneous thrombosis is a blood clot that forms suddenly, usually after an injury to a vein or artery. Doctors may treat it with medications or a procedure to remove or break up the clot.
A thrombus is a blood clot large enough to block or severely restrict the flow of blood in a vein or artery. Spontaneous thrombosis, also called sudden thrombosis, is the rapid formation of a clot in a blood vessel. It usually occurs due to an acute injury to the vein or artery.
Sometimes, spontaneous thrombosis triggers symptoms that you can feel or even observe from the outside, like areas of swelling or skin discoloration.
Treatment options for spontaneous thrombosis include medications to help prevent the clot from growing and invasive procedures to break the thrombus apart or remove it from the vein or artery.
This article explains why spontaneous thrombosis might form and how doctors might diagnose and treat it.
Thrombosis can occur following damage to a vein or artery. This damage could occur from events like a cut on your finger, a ruptured plaque in an artery, or a complication from surgery.
Thrombosis is the formation of a clot that occurs when the body sends substances, including fibrin (a protein essential to form blood clots) and other clotting factors, to the site of the damage to start the healing process. If the resulting thrombus or clot is too big, it can cut off or reduce blood flow enough to damage organs or other tissues.
Clots that develop in an artery are usually a complication of plaque buildup along the wall of the artery — a condition called atherosclerosis. If the plaque ruptures, allowing cholesterol, fats, and other material into the bloodstream, the body responds by forming a clot at the site. Plaque doesn’t build up in veins, but clots can still form in veins, usually because of injury or trauma to the vein.
Spontaneous thrombosis is the formation of a clot that doctors can’t trace back to a condition such as atherosclerosis or atrial fibrillation. It’s an acute circulation problem and can be a medical emergency.
In mild cases, you may have no symptoms. But depending on the size and location of the thrombus, symptoms can include:
- numbness in the affected area
- pain or tightness in the affected area
- swelling
- tenderness and skin that is warm to the touch
Surgery is a common cause of spontaneous thrombosis, specifically deep vein thrombosis (DVT) — clot formation in the deep veins of the legs and elsewhere in the body.
A 2017 report notes that just as uncontrolled bleeding during surgery can be life threatening, so too can spontaneous thrombosis. This is why scientists continue to develop ways to prevent unhealthy clotting or bleeding episodes. Scientists are also developing models they can use to predict whether an individual is likely to experience a circulation complication during or after surgery.
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A physical examination, medical history, and review of your current symptoms, if any, are usually the first steps in diagnosing spontaneous thrombosis. Noticeable areas of swelling, tenderness, or warm-to-the-touch skin may indicate the location of a blood clot.
For a formal diagnosis, you will likely undergo a blood test, including a screening for D-dimer, a protein fragment that circulates when the body is making or dissolving blood clots.
Imaging is usually necessary to confirm the presence of a thrombus and determine its exact size and location. A
Other imaging techniques that may be helpful include CT scans and coronary angiography.
The size and location of the resulting clot will help determine the best treatment option for spontaneous thrombosis.
Anticoagulants, or blood thinners, can help both reduce the risk of blood clot formation and prevent existing blood clots from growing. Doctors may also prescribe medications, such as thrombolytics, to help dissolve existing clots.
Procedures to treat spontaneous thrombosis include placing a stent in the affected blood vessel. A stent is a small, flexible tube that opens up a narrowed blood vessel to restore healthy blood flow. A more invasive procedure, known as a thrombectomy, can be used in some cases. The procedure involves the surgical removal of a large clot.
The outlook for someone with spontaneous thrombosis depends largely on whether the clot is in an artery or vein and the severity of symptoms and complications. The presence of any other health conditions also affects a person’s outlook.
Research suggests that people with venous thrombosis have an increased risk of subsequent episodes of venous thrombosis — about a
Is thrombosis life threatening?
Thrombosis complications can be life threatening. For example, if a blood clot blocks circulation in your heart, the result is a heart attack. If there is a blockage in an artery in the brain, the result is a stroke. Clots that block blood flow to the limbs or elsewhere in the body can lead to severe complications and may warrant amputation.
Are blood clots and thrombosis the same?
Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot, which is also called a thrombus when it forms in an artery or vein.
What is the difference between a thrombus and an embolism?
Both conditions involve material interfering with healthy, unrestricted blood flow. A thrombus is a blood clot made up of platelets, fibrin, or other similar substances. An embolism is usually a piece of thrombus that has broken away and is moving toward the lungs or brain.
A spontaneous thrombosis is a rare type of blood clot that may form after a blood vessel injury or as part of a condition called atherosclerosis. Doctors use physical and imaging tests like ultrasound to diagnose it. Treatments include medications, stents, or surgery to remove the clot.
While there is no way to guarantee you’ll never experience spontaneous thrombosis after surgery, an accident, injury, or another cause, there are some steps you can take to reduce your clotting risk. These include following your after-surgery care plan, taking blood thinners, or wearing compression stockings to support healthy blood flow.
Following a heart-healthy lifestyle that emphasizes weight management, including a heart-healthy diet and regular exercise, can help prevent obesity and a sedentary lifestyle, which are also risk factors for thrombosis.