Table of contents:
- How is the blood clotting process after surgery?
- Why does blood clot after surgery?
- How do you deal with blood clots after surgery?
The formation of blood clots (coagulation) is a normal process in the body after an injury. That is why blood clotting after surgery is actually a natural response that is automatically carried out by the body. Apart from stopping bleeding, the blood clots that form also help speed up wound healing.
But sometimes, this process can turn out to be dangerous and even threaten the function of the body's organs. So, is there any way to deal with excess blood clotting after this operation?
How is the blood clotting process after surgery?
Platelets, which are a component of human blood, help stop bleeding by forming a clot. This clot, forms in the injured area or the target of the operation.
Clots occur when blood that meets sticking together, eventually thickens slowly. If the goal is to prevent more bleeding, of course good. However, it is a different story if the blood clots after surgery actually block the flow of blood.
Why does blood clot after surgery?
Although it is actually a normal process, blood clotting after surgery can also indicate something is wrong with the body. This occurs when the formation of a blood clot occurs in the veins, thus obstructing the smooth flow of blood.
This condition is known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). As a result, the blood supply that the heart receives is less than optimal. This risk can be worsened when abnormal blood clot formation occurs in vital organs of the body, such as the brain, lungs, and others.
Or in other conditions, the blood clot can travel to enter vital organs, such as the lungs. This is known as a pulmonary embolism, which can be life-threatening because it blocks the proper flow of blood.
Major surgery in several parts of the body that are at risk of developing blood clots after surgery. For example in the stomach, pelvis, hips, and legs. In addition to helping prevent excessive blood loss, there are other reasons why blood clots form after surgery.
The reason is, after surgery is a time when you are required to get lots of rest. Automatically, the body tends to be inactive or sedentary. The little movement that you do, then makes the blood flow in the blood vessels slower. As a result, blood clots form.
These blood clots usually form within 2-10 days after surgery, but they can last longer for about 3 months. Your chances of developing a DVT or a blood clot in a vein may be greater if you have one or more of the following conditions:
- Smoke
- Being overweight or obese
- Have had DVT before or have family members who have had DVT
- Is pregnant
- Have certain conditions that affect blood flow
- Are over 65 years of age
- Routinely use certain drugs, such as birth control and hormone therapy
- Have cancer
- Have heart problems and stroke
How do you deal with blood clots after surgery?
The treatment that doctors use to treat postoperative blood clot formation is usually tailored to the area that is affected. In general, the doctor will give you a blood thinning drug called an anticoagulant.
In addition, other types of drugs such as warfarin are also given to help remove blood clots, as well as improve their flow. Doctors may also give heparin drugs in order to prevent the development of blood clots.
In order to speed up healing, here are some actions that doctors recommend to speed up handling of blood clots after surgery:
- Routinely take heparin medication according to schedule in the first week, by injecting it under the skin.
- Then proceed with taking the drug warfarin (Coumadin®) in the second week, together with the heparin drug.
After about 1 week of injecting the heparin drug and the oral drug warfarin being used simultaneously, the heparin administration will be stopped. However, it is recommended that you keep taking warfarin for approximately 3-6.
The length of time may change to longer depending on your condition. Meanwhile, for more severe cases, the doctor will do things such as:
- Operation. Direct the catheter to the part of the blood clot, so that it slowly disappears.
- Heart stent or ring. Stenting can be considered to keep the blood vessels open, so that blood flow is smooth.
- Vena cava filter. This method is done when the blood thinning medication is not working, so that a filter will be inserted into the inferior vena cava. The goal is to collect blood clots before they flow to the vital organs of the body.
