Virchow's triad describes the three broad categories of factors that are thought to contribute to thrombosis (blood clot formation). It was first described in 1856.
The three elements of Virchow's triad are:
- Venous stasis: This refers to slowed or stagnant blood flow. According to the provided reference, venous stasis is the most consequential of the three factors.
- Vascular injury: Damage to the blood vessel wall.
- Hypercoagulability: An increased tendency of the blood to clot.
While venous stasis is the most influential, the reference indicates that stasis alone may not be enough to cause a blood clot (8).
Here's a table summarizing the components of Virchow's Triad:
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Venous Stasis | Slowed or stagnant blood flow |
| Vascular Injury | Damage to the blood vessel wall |
| Hypercoagulability | An increased tendency of the blood to clot |
