Bleeding Disorders Flashcards
When should a patient be evaluated for bleeding disorders?
Spontaneous bleeding, excessive hemorrhage after surgery or trauma, menorrhagia, bleeding after venipuncture, excessive bleeding after labor/delivery.
What co-existing diseases can impair platelet or vessel wall interactions?
Renal failure and liver disease.
How can malignancy affect coagulation?
Recent chemotherapy can cause thrombocytopenia.
Which drugs can cause thrombocytopenia?
Aspirin, NSAIDs, and certain antibiotics.
What are the bleeding patterns associated with thrombocytopenia or platelet disorders?
Bleeding from skin and mucosa, GI bleeding, epistaxis, hemoptysis, spontaneous or immediate after trauma.
What are the bleeding patterns associated with factor deficiencies?
Bleeding from deeper tissue sites, such as hematomas, retroperitoneal hemorrhage, and hemarthroses, with more delayed onset.
What are petechiae?
Pinpoint skin hemorrhages less than 3mm in size.
What initiates the extrinsic pathway in the coagulation cascade?
External Vessel damage and tissue factor (TF), trauma/injury to vessel wall, tissue damage, hypoxia, sepsis, inflammation.
What is purpura?
Skin hemorrhages between 3-10mm, sometimes palpable.
What is another name for the extrinsic pathway?
Tissue Factor Pathway
Which factor is activated in the extrinsic pathway?
Tissue Factor III
What is the common pathway in the coagulation cascade?
The pathway where both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways converge, leading to fibrin formation.
What is ecchymosis?
A bruise larger than 1cm.
What initiates the intrinsic pathway in the coagulation cascade?
Contact with subendothelial surface damage
What is another name for the intrinsic pathway?
Contact Activation Pathway
What basic laboratory evaluations are used for bleeding disorders?
CBC (Hgb, Platelets), coagulation profile (PT/INR, aPTT), fibrinogen, D-Dimer.
What does PT/INR measure?
Clotting factors from the extrinsic pathway.
Which factors are involved in the intrinsic pathway?
HMWK, PK, XII, XI, IX, X,VIII
What does ‘a’ signify in the context of coagulation factors?
Activated
What does aPTT measure?
Clotting factors from the intrinsic pathway.
What is the role of Factor XIIIa in the common pathway?
Cross-links fibrin
What is the role of thrombin in the coagulation cascade?
Converts fibrinogen to fibrin
What are the normal ranges for PT, INR, and aPTT?
PT: 11-13.5 sec, INR: ≤ 1.1, aPTT: 21-35 sec.
What is the role of antithrombin in physiologic anticoagulation?
Inactivates thrombin and other factors
What is fibrinogen and where is it synthesized?
A protein synthesized by the liver.
What are the major causes of DIC?
Infections, sepsis, immunologic reactions, transfusion reactions, obstetric complications, malignancies, liver failure, acute pancreatitis, envenomation, ARDS, trauma, shock, vascular disorders.
What are some examples of immunologic reactions that can cause DIC?
Transfusion reactions and ABO incompatibility.
What obstetric complications can lead to DIC?
Septic abortion, retained contents, placental abruption.
What is the most common complication of severe hemophilia?
Acute Hemarthrosis
What accelerates the action of antithrombin?
Heparin
Which malignancies are associated with DIC?
Acute leukemia and adenocarcinoma.
What sensation precedes intense pain and swelling in acute hemarthrosis?
Tingling or burning sensation
What is the role of proteins C and S in anticoagulation?
Destroy factors V and VIII
What are the physical exam findings in acute hemarthrosis?
Hot, swollen, and tender joint with erythema
What are the key features of acute DIC?
Introduction of tissue factor into the bloodstream, initiation of the extrinsic pathway, thrombin formation, platelet activation, excess consumption of clotting factors, elevated PT/INR, aPTT, thrombocytopenia, mucosal bleeding.
What happens to Vitamin K after it activates clotting factors?
It becomes de-activated.
What happens to clotting factors in acute DIC?
Excess consumption of clotting factors, leading to elevated PT/INR and aPTT.
What are the symptoms of acute hemarthrosis?
Pain, stiffness, limited mobility, maintained in flexed position
How are proteins C and S activated?
By thrombin
What does a low fibrinogen level indicate?
Decreased production or excessive clot formation.
Why does thrombocytopenia occur in acute DIC?
Bone marrow can’t keep up with platelet consumption.
Which enzyme re-activates Vitamin K?
Vitamin K reductase.
What is the immediate treatment for acute hemarthrosis?
Immediate factor replacement
What can deficiencies in anticoagulation mechanisms lead to?
Hypercoagulable state
What is D-Dimer?
A fibrin degradation product released when clots dissolve.
What does RICE stand for in the context of acute hemarthrosis treatment?
Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
What are the bleeding manifestations of acute DIC?
Petechiae, purpura, bleeding from mucosal sites, venipuncture sites, wounds.
How does Warfarin affect Vitamin K?
It inhibits Vitamin K reductase.
What is the mechanism of action of Coumadin (Warfarin)?
Vitamin K antagonist
Why is joint aspiration not recommended in acute hemarthrosis?
Risk of infection and worsening bleeding
What are the thrombotic manifestations of acute DIC?
Digital ischemia and gangrene, especially in patients on vasopressors.
What conditions can elevate D-Dimer levels?
Clot (DVT, PE) or DIC.
Why should NSAIDs be avoided in acute hemarthrosis?
They may exacerbate bleeding due to platelet inhibition
Which factors require vitamin K for activation?
Factors II, VII, IX, and X
What laboratory findings are indicative of DIC?
Prolonged PT/INR, aPTT, thrombocytopenia, increased FDP levels, elevated D-Dimer, decreased fibrinogen.
What can result from recurrent or untreated bleeds in hemophilia?
Chronic joint damage
What occurs during thrombosis?
Simultaneous activation of platelets and formation of fibrin in response to vessel injury.
What does exogenous Vitamin K do in the presence of Warfarin?
It provides the necessary active form of Vitamin K.
Which pathway does Warfarin mainly inhibit?
Extrinsic pathway and factor VII
What are the features of chronic joint damage in hemophilia?
Cartilage damage with cyst formation, bony erosion, flexion contractures
What is primary hemostasis?
Platelet activation.
How does chronic DIC differ from acute DIC?
Chronic DIC involves continuous or intermittent exposure to small amounts of tissue factor, is usually associated with malignancies, and is primarily a thrombotic disorder with recurrent superficial and deep venous thromboses.
What are the three sources of Vitamin K?
Dietary intake, synthetic drugs, and synthesis by intestinal flora.
How is the effect of Warfarin monitored?
By PT/INR
What is the primary characteristic of ITP diagnosis?
Isolated thrombocytopenia with normal WBC and RBC and no other cause identified.
What is secondary hemostasis?
Clotting factor activation leading to fibrin formation.
What is the prophylaxis strategy in severe hemophilia?
Scheduled administration of factors 2-3 times a week
What is the primary treatment approach for DIC?
Reverse the underlying cause if possible; all other measures are supportive and temporizing.
What percentage of intramuscular hematomas occur in hemophilia patients?
30%
What distinguishes primary ITP from secondary ITP?
Primary ITP has no identified trigger, while secondary ITP is preceded by infection or immunologic condition.
What role does von Willebrand Factor (vWF) play in hemostasis?
Mediates platelet adhesion to the site of vessel injury.
What supportive treatments are used in DIC?
Fresh frozen plasma, platelet transfusion, cryoprecipitate if fibrinogen is low.
What are common causes of intramuscular hematomas in hemophilia?
Physical trauma, IM injections
When is treatment necessary for ITP in children?
If there is bleeding, platelet counts are below 20,000/μl, or it is a chronic form.
What does a prolonged PT/INR indicate?
Vitamin K deficiency
What substances do adhered platelets release?
ADP and Thromboxane A2.
What is the first-line treatment for ITP?
Corticosteroids/Prednisone.
What is the role of heparin in anticoagulation?
Activates antithrombin
What conditions can lead to Vitamin K deficiency?
Malabsorption, eradication of gut flora, prolonged antibiotic use, critical care, prolonged NPO, broad-spectrum antibiotics, acute gastroenteritis, and diarrhea.
What is the coagulation cascade?
A series of reactions leading to the formation of cross-linked fibrin.
What is the fatality rate of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in hemophilia?
30%
How long should corticosteroids be used for ITP treatment?
Not more than 3-4 weeks.
Why is heparin used cautiously in DIC?
Heparin could exacerbate bleeding and is reserved for DIC associated with malignancy and forms mainly manifested by thrombosis.
What activates the intrinsic pathway of the coagulation cascade?
Internal damage to the vessel wall.
What is the function of Intravenous Immune Globin (IVIG) in ITP treatment?
It blocks the Fc receptor on macrophages.
What activates the extrinsic pathway of the coagulation cascade?
External trauma or injury to the vessel wall, tissue damage, hypoxia, sepsis, inflammation.
What is a significant cause of death in liver failure related to coagulopathy?
Bleeding, particularly GI bleeding due to portal hypertension and esophageal varices.
Why should non-emergent platelet transfusions be avoided in ITP treatment?
They are not effective and can cause complications.
What is the end result of both the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways?
Activation of Factor X, leading to the common pathway.
What usually induces intracerebral hemorrhage in hemophilia patients?
Head trauma
Which factors does heparin inactivate?
Factors XII, XI, IX, X, and thrombin
What laboratory finding is associated with Vitamin K deficiency?
Prolonged PT/INR.
What is Rituximab used for in ITP treatment?
It targets B-cells which produce antibodies against platelets.
What type of bleeding should be avoided with NSAID use in hemophilia?
GI bleeding
Which pathways does heparin mainly inhibit?
Intrinsic and common pathways
What type of bleeding is seen with Vitamin K deficiency?
Bleeding with minor trauma, spontaneous bruising, petechiae, and spontaneous internal bleeding.
What is the basis for suspecting hemophilia in a patient?
Family and personal bleeding history
What coagulation profile tests are used in diagnosing hemophilia?
aPTT, PT/INR
How is the effect of heparin monitored?
By aPTT
What are the mechanisms of coagulopathy in liver failure?
Impaired clotting factor synthesis, impaired activation of vitamin K-dependent factors, ineffective y-carboxylation, platelet dysfunction, splenomegaly, suppression of thrombopoiesis by alcohol or folate deficiency.
What is the final product of the common pathway in the coagulation cascade?
Cross-linked fibrin mesh forming a stable clot.
What are the symptoms of HITT?
Hemorrhage or thrombosis, thrombocytopenia without evidence of thrombosis, skin necrosis due to focal thrombosis.