Case Study 1: Disorders of Hemostasis:
Leona is 52 years old and smokes. She is also overweight and has atherosclerosis. When she was
given a 2-week vacation from work, she packed up her bags and flew from Minnesota to Sydney,
Australia, for the trip she always wanted to take. Unfortunately, just 3 days after she arrived, she
was hospitalized when her left calf became inflamed, causing her considerable pain. The
physician attending to her told her she developed a deep vein thrombosis.
1. Explain, using your knowledge of hypercoagulability, why the trip to Australia
contributed to Leona’s DVT? Why was Leona already at risk for thrombus development?
2. How does Leona’s atherosclerosis affect platelet function? Conversely, what is the effect
of increased platelet activity on the development of atherosclerosis?
3. How do atherosclerosis and immobility promote changes in blood coagulation?
4. When Leona was in hospital, she received heparin therapy. Explain why this course of
action was taken to treat her DVT. Why was she not given heparin tablets to take back to
the hotel with her?
1. Explain, using your knowledge of hypercoagulability, why the trip to Australia
contributed to Leona’s DVT? Why was Leona already at risk for thrombus development?
Leona's trip to Australia likely contributed to the development of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
due to various factors. Here's an explanation of why her trip and her pre-existing conditions put
her at risk for thrombus development:
Prolonged immobility: During her flight from Minnesota to Sydney, Leona likely experienced
prolonged periods of immobility while sitting in an airplane seat. Immobility can lead to reduced
blood flow and stasis in the veins, increasing the risk of blood clot formation.
Long-distance travel: Long-distance travel, particularly by air, can increase the risk of DVT. This
is often referred to as "economy class syndrome" or "traveler's thrombosis." The combination of
prolonged sitting, decreased leg movement, and reduced cabin pressure can contribute to blood
pooling and clot formation in the deep veins of the legs.
Smoking: Smoking is a well-known risk factor for thrombus development. Smoking damages
blood vessels and promotes a pro-inflammatory state, which can increase the risk of clot
