Annual Review of Physiology 2011
Venous valvular stasis-associated hypoxia and thrombosis: what is the link?
Only registered users can translate articles
Log In/Sign up
The link is saved to the clipboard
Keywords
Abstract
This review focuses on the role of the venous valves in the genesis of thrombus formation in venous thromboembolic disease (VTE). Clinical VTE and the evidence for the valvular origin of venous thrombosis are reviewed. Virchow's triad is then used as a framework for discussion to approach the question posed regarding the link between venous valvular stasis-associated hypoxia and thrombosis. Thus, the effects of blood flow stasis, hypercoagulability of blood, and the characteristics of the vessel wall within the venous valvular sinus are assessed in turn.