Bleeding and Thrombosis Flashcards
List causes of failure of platelet plug formation (failure of primary haemostasis)
Vascular disease
Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
Impaired platelet function
Von Willbrand Factor disease
What is the main vascular cause of failed primary haemostasis?
ACQUIRED: Vasculitis e.g. Henoch-Schonlein purpura
Others include heridatory causes e.g. Marfans
What is the commonest cause of primary haemostatic failure?
Thrombocytopaenia (usually acquired)
Thrombocytopenia can be due to what 2 factors?
Reduced platelet production (marrow disorder)
Increased platelet destruction
List the main causes of platelet destruction
Coagulopathy (DIC)
Autoimmunity (immune thrombocytopaenic purpura)
Hypersplenism (liver disease)
What is the main cause of a platelet functional deficit?
HERIDATORY: vWF deficiency
Other include acquired causes (NSAIDs, renal failure, aspirin)
Von Willebrand Factor deficiency is mainly hereditary and follows what inheritance pattern?
Autosomal dominant, typically producing a mild disease
In what two groups of patients should you be suspicious of vWF deficiency?
Women with menorrhagia
Patients who bleed excessively after surgery
List causes of failure of fibrin clot formation (failure of secondary haemostasis)
Multiple clotting factor deficiency
Single clotting factor deficiency
List causes of multiple clotting factor deficiency. What would a clotting screen look like?
DIC Liver failure Vitamin K deficiency Warfarin therapy Prolonged PT time and aPTT
What is the main cause of single clotting factor deficiency?
Haemophilia
Which clotting factors are carboxylated (activated) by vitamin K?
II
VII
IX
X
Why is vitamin K important for function of clotting factors?
Allows for clotting factor to aggregate at platelet plug: need a negative charge (carboxylation of glutamic acid) as Ca at plug is positive
List causes of vitamin K deficiency
Poor dietary intake
Malabsorption (absorbed at upper intestine)
Obstructive jaundice (requires bile salt for absorption)
Antagonists (warfarin)
Haemorrhagic disease of newborn
What is disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)?
Excessive and inappropriate activation of the haemostatic system, causing depletion of all clotting factors leading to microvascular thrombus formation
What are the main signs of DIC?
Abdominal bruising/purpura
Generalised bleeding
What is included in a coagulation screen for haemostasis?
Platelet count
Prothrombin time
APT time
D-dimer
List the main causes of DIC
Sepsis
Obstetric emergencies
Malignancy
Hypovolaemic shock
How is DIC treated?
Treat underlying cause
Replace clotting factors - platelet transfusions, plasma transfusions (FFP), fibrinogen replacement
What is haemophilia? What pattern of inheritance does it follow?
X-linked heridatory disorder with abnormal prolonged bleeding episodically at one or few sites
What are the two types of haemophilia? Which is more common?
Haemophilia A (VIII deficiency) Haemophilia B (IX deficiency) A is more common than B
Where does bleeding usually occur in haemophilia?
Ankles, knees (haemarthroses)
Soft tissue bleeds (bruising in toddlers)
Prolonged bleeding after dental extraction or surgery
Is haemophilia a disorder of primary or secondary haemostasis?
Secondary haemostasis
Prothrombin time is usually normal in a haemophiliac. True/False?
True
Isolated prolonged APT time
What is the main cause of arterial thrombosis?
Atherosclerosis
How is atherosclerosis treated?
Antiplatelet (aspirin)
Modify risk factors for atherosclerosis
Venous thrombosis is caused by Virchow’s triad. List the components of this triad
Hypercoagulability
Vessel wall damage (valves)
Stasis of blood flow
How is venous thrombosis treated?
Heparin/ warfarin
NOACs
List the main clinical signs of DVT. How is it diagnosed?
Hot limb Swelling, erythema Tenderness Pitting oedema Usually unilateral Duplex US Negative D-dimer
List the main clinical signs of PE. How is it diagnosed?
Pleuritic chest pain Dyspnoea Collapse Haemoptysis VQ scan if CXR normal, CTPA Negative D-dimer
What is the risk of a deep vein thrombosis in the leg?
Clot can form and end up in pulmonary circulation by passing up IVC, causing pulmonary embolism
Can result in post-thrombotic syndrome (chronic painful and swollen leg)
List risk factors for venous thromboembolism
Age Obesity Pregnancy Oestrogen therapy (OCP) Trauma/surgery Malignancy Infection Paralysis Thrombophilia Antiphospholipid syndrome Previous DVT/PE
What is a thrombophilia?
Familial/acquired disorder of haemostatic mechanism which are likely to predispose to thrombus
What are the main mechanisms of thrombophilia?
Increased coagulation activity
Decreased fibrinolytic activity
Decreased anticoagulant activity