Virchow's triad

Virchow's triad or the triad of Virchow (/ˈfɪərkoʊ/) describes the three broad categories of factors that are thought to contribute to thrombosis.

• Hypercoagulability
• Hemodynamic changes (stasis, turbulence)
• Endothelial injury/dysfunction

It is named after the renowned German physician Rudolf Virchow (1821–1902). However, the elements comprising Virchow's triad were not proposed by Virchow. Neither did he ever suggest a triad to describe the pathogenesis of venous thrombosis. In fact, it was not until decades after Virchow's death that a consensus was reached proposing that thrombosis is the result of alterations in blood flow, vascular endothelial injury, or alterations in the constitution of the blood. Still, the modern understanding of the factors leading to embolism is similar to the description provided by Virchow. Virchow's triad remains a useful concept for clinicians and pathologists alike in understanding the contributors to thrombosis.