Blood coagulation + anticoagulants Flashcards
Define haemostasis
arrest of bleeding
What dies a hypercoagulable state lead to?
thrombosis
What does reduced coagulation lead to?
bleeding disorders
Describe the process of haemostasis
Tissue injury
vasoconstriction (limits blood flow to injured region)
formation of platelet plug
thrombus (clot) formation
formation of fibrin mesh to stabilise thrombus
clot dissolution –> through action of plasmin
What are the 3 main steps in formation of a platelet plug?
adhesion
activation
aggregation
Describe in detail the formation of a platelet plug
plasma proteins circulate in blood –> activated on exposure to collagen
von willebrand factor binds to collagen
platelets bind to von villebrand factor through surface receptors
platelets change shape –> increase SA:V ratio –> promotes aggregation to each other + von willebrand factor
platelet-platelet interaction via fibrinogen
Describe the presentation of von Willebrand disease
usual pattern = mucosal haemorrhage:
- bleeding at times of trauma/surgery
- menorrhagia
- nose bleeds
varies according to amount of vWF
What is secondary haemostasis?
stabilisation of platelet plug
Describe secondary haemostasis
fibrin acts like glue –> gives platelet mass strength
allows it to function as a secure patch + protects base to allow repair + healing
What is the purpose of blood coagulation?
produce stable haemostatic plug via localised fibrin clot formation at site of vessel injury
Describe the mechanism of blood coagulation
enzymatic cascade: series of coagulation proteins sequentially activated + amplified which results in a fibrin clot
What are congenital disorders of secondary haemostasis
decreased levels of clotting factors
What factor is deficient in Haemophilia A?
factor 8
What factor is deficient in Haemophilia B?
factor 9
Key symptoms of Haemophilia A/B
joint/soft tissue bleeding:
- bleeds into ‘target’ joints
- bleeds into retroperitoneum
- bleeding at times of trauma/surgery
varies according to amount of factor 8/9
What are 2 acquired disorders of secondary haemostasis
warfarin
liver disease
Warfarin mechanism of action
Vitamin K antagonists
What are the Vitamin K dependent clotting factors?
10
9
7
2
(1972)
What stops coagulation process from forming thrombi throughout circulation?
coagulation inhibitors:
- antithrombin
- protein C
- protein S
fibrinolysis:
- breakdown of fibrin clot by plasmin
Name 3 coagulation tests
prothrombin time
activated partial thromboplastin time
thrombin time
Describe prothrombin time
activators = thromboplastin (source of tissue factor) and calcium
INR derived from PT
time until fibrin formation occurs is measures
extrinsic ( + common) pathway
What does INR stand for?
International Normalised Ratio
Describe APTT
activated partial thromboplastin time
activators = contact factor, calcium + phospholipid
time until fibrin formation occurs is measured
antiphospholipid interferes with test
intrinsic (+common) pathway
Describe thrombin time
activator = thrombin
specifically measures conversion time of fibrinogen to fibrin
What can cause an abnormal PT?
liver disease
warfarin
DIC
What can cause abnormal APTT?
haemophilia A/B
DIC
lupus anticoagulant
What can cause abnormal TT?
low fibrinogen states
What can cause both PT and APTT to be prolonged?
DIC
DOAC treatment
warfarin overdose
severe vitamin K deficiency
3 key causes of thrombosis (too much coagulation)
too many cells:
- increased platelets/RBCs
deficiency of natural anticoagulants:
- protein C
- protein S
- Antithrombin
other coagulation factor abnormalities:
- Factor 5 Leiden variant
- prothrombin gene variant (elevated levels of prothrombin)
4 key causes of bleeding disorders
problems with blood vessel wall
problems with von Willebrand factor
problems with platelets
problems with coagulation factor cascade
Describe causes of low platelets
inherited (rare)
acquired:
- immune (ITP, TTP)
- bone marrow failure
- drugs
Acquired problems with the coagulation cascade
drugs eg. warfarin, heparin, DOACs
severe liver disease
disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
massive blood loss
Describe TTP
thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
absent ADAMTS13 (due to an antibody), leads to large von willebrand factors multimers which bind platelets in the microcirculation
microthrombi and consumption of platelets
ischaemia in critical organs
What is the TTP classical pentad?
fever
microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia (MAHA)
renal impairment
fluctuating neurological signs
thrombocytopenia
(haematological emergency)
6 common indications for anticoagulant therapy
prevention of stroke in AF
treatment of DVT/PE (VTE)
prevention of recurrent (VTE)
prevention of valvular thrombosis/embolism in metallic heart valves
treatment of acute coronary syndrome
thromboprophylaxis
Which anticoagulant drugs work by reducing clotting factors?
Coumarins eg. warfarin, phenindione
Which anticoagulant drugs work by indirectly inhibiting clotting factors?
Heparins:
- unfractioned (UFH)
- low molecular weight heparin (LMWH)
Fondaparinux
Danaparoid
Which anticoagulant drugs work by directly inhibiting clotting factors?
Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs):
- factor Xa inhibitors = apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban
- thrombin inhibitors = dabigatran
- parenteral thrombin inhibitors eg. argatroban, bivalirudin
INR calculation
INR = (PT patient/PT control)
How is warfarin monitored?
regular monitoring needed
yellow book (has target INR, last INR reading, date of last test, current dose, when next test due)
International normalised ratio (INR)
target = 2.5 (2-3) = standard
incidence of haemorrhage associated with INR but can occur in target range
What factors affect INR?
individual variation/genetic
drugs (including alcohol) can potentiate warfarin effects (check INR within 5 days of stopping/starting new drug)
diet (eg. vitamin K content)
intercurrent illness
mistake (dosage, eg. elderly, visually impaired - comes in 3 different coloured tablets of different strengths)
How are heparins administered and why are they administered this way?
IV or SC
destroyed by gastric acid so oral administration not possible
Describe unfractionated heparin
mixture of different weight heparin molecules
potentiates antithrombin
prolongs APTT
immediate onset of action
large variability between people
short half-life in plasma (30-120 mins)