What condition is characterized by the presence of abnormal blood clots in small vessels?

Thrombotic microangiopathy is characterized by the formation of abnormal blood clots in small blood vessels, which leads to a variety of serious health issues. This condition typically results in a spread of microthrombi that can obstruct blood flow and damage organs, particularly the kidneys and brain. Patients often present with symptoms such as hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia due to the consumption of platelets and red blood cells as they pass through the damaged microvasculature.

In contrast, hemophilia is a bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency in specific clotting factors, resulting in difficulty forming blood clots rather than abnormal clot formation. Deep vein thrombosis is characterized by clots in larger veins, typically in the legs, rather than in small vessels. An aneurysm involves the dilation or bulging of a blood vessel, which can lead to rupture, but it is not defined by clot formation. Each of these conditions has distinct pathology and clinical implications, highlighting the unique nature of thrombotic microangiopathy as a condition specifically linked to abnormal blood clotting in small vessels.