Glossary

Type of medicine that prevents blood clotting (coagulation). Anticoagulants interrupt the clotting process to prevent a clot from growing larger or to reduce the chances of a new clot forming.

The largest artery in the body. It distributes oxygen-rich blood from the heart to all parts of the body.

A term for diseases in which cells grow abnormally with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph system.

Cancer Associated Thrombosis (CAT) refers to blood clots (thrombosis) linked to / derived from cancer or cancer treatment.

Chemotherapy (also known as chemo) is a type of cancer treatment that uses one or several drugs in combination.

A medical term for the clotting process, when blood changes from a liquid form to a thick clot with a gel-like consistency.

Describes an increased blood pressure (hypertension) in the lung (pulmonary) caused by a blood clot (thromboembolic). CTEPH is a complication that can arise if a blood clot in the lung is not resolved by the body and develops into scar tissue.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): The condition that describes when a blood clot, or thrombus, develops in a deep vein.

A piece of thrombus that has broken away from the main clot.

A condition marked by extreme tiredness and inability to function due to lack of energy.

A protein involved in the clotting of blood.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): Treatment with hormones to replace natural hormones when the body is not producing sufficient amount or it is necessary to change the composition of hormones occurring in the body.

A test that indicates how your warfarin prescription is working and whether adjustments are needed. People with normally clotting blood, not receiving any treatment have an INR of approximately 1. The higher the INR- the longer it takes for your blood to clot. The most common INR target range for someone on warfarin treatment is between 2.0 and 3.0.

Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is anticoagulant medication that is injected under the skin in order to prevent blood clots from growing larger and prevent new clots from forming.

A term often used with tumours. A malignant tumour = cancer.

A medical condition marked by the accumulation of an excess amount of body fat that may have a negative effect on your health.

A doctor who has special training in diagnosing and treating cancer.

Pulmonary Embolism (PE): The condition that describes when a piece of a blood clot breaks loose (embolus) and travels from its original location, through the heart and on to the lungs.

Cells circulating in our blood which bind together when they recognize damaged blood vessels and help stop bleeding.

Post thrombotic syndrome (PTS): Describes a long-term effects that can follow from a Deep Vein Thrombosis.

Thrombosis refers to abnormal, life-threatening blood clots that form in the artery or vein.

If a blood clot remains stationary instead of dissolving as it should, it is referred to as a “thrombus”.

Unfractionated heparin (UFH) is a mixture of molecules with variable molecular weights and biological activity.

A less-common test that identifies blood clots in the leg by injecting a special dye into a vein on the foot. An X-ray is then used to identify if there is a clot.c

Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) inhibit vitamin K. Vitamin K is essential for clotting of blood- thus when VKAs are administered, it takes longer before the blood coagulates.

Venous Thrombo Embolism. The formation of blood clots in the vein. When a clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the leg, it is called a deep vein thrombosis or DVT. If that clot breaks loose and travels to the lungs, it is called a pulmonary embolism or PE.

A prescription anticoagulant in tablet form.