Thrombus Erythrocyte

An erythrocyte thrombus (t. erythrocytarius) is a type of thrombus that consists primarily of erythrocytes (red blood cells).

Erythrocyte thrombi are formed as a result of pathological processes associated with changes in the hemostatic system. Such processes include hemolytic anemia, acute blood loss, burn disease, sepsis and others.

In these conditions, massive hemolysis of red blood cells occurs, resulting in the release of components of the inner cell membrane, which are powerful procoagulants. This triggers inadequate coagulation and leads to the formation of blood clots predominantly from red blood cells.

Such blood clots are dangerous because they easily break off and cause thromboembolism in the vessels of the pulmonary circulation. Red blood cell thrombi are often found at autopsy of patients who died from acute massive blood loss.