Veritulppien

Veritulppien is the genitive plural form of veritulppa in Finnish, referring to blood clots. In medical terms, veritulppien are solid masses formed by the coagulation of blood that can obstruct circulation in arteries or veins. They consist of platelets, fibrin, and cellular elements, and may arise when clotting processes are activated inappropriately or when blood flow is slow.

Arterial clots can block blood supply to the heart or brain, potentially causing a heart attack or stroke. Venous clots most often develop in the deep veins of the legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT) and may travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism (PE). Symptoms depend on location and size: DVT often presents with leg swelling, pain, and warmth; PE can cause shortness of breath, chest pain, or fainting; arterial clots can lead to sudden weakness or speech problems if affecting the brain or chest pain if affecting the heart.

Risk factors include recent surgery, prolonged immobility, cancer, inherited clotting disorders, pregnancy, obesity, smoking, and advanced age. Diagnosis typically combines clinical assessment with tests such as D-dimer blood tests, leg vein ultrasound for suspected DVT, CT angiography for PE, and MRI or CT imaging for suspected stroke or other arterial events.

Treatment aims to prevent clot growth and new clots. This usually involves anticoagulant medications (for example heparin, warfarin, or direct oral anticoagulants), with thrombolysis or mechanical clot removal used in certain life-threatening cases. Prevention focuses on risk reduction, early mobilization after surgery, compression devices, and appropriate prophylactic anticoagulation when indicated. Long-term management may include extended anticoagulation and lifestyle modifications.