Disorders of Haemostasis Flashcards
what is physiological haemostasis
- is the balance between CLOTTING MECHANISMS AND CLOT LYSIS
- the control of: internal and external bleeding
- the prevention of pathogical thrombosis
which factors maintain physiological haemostasis
- BLOOD VESSELS - vasoconstriction to reduce blood loss
- PLATELETS - initial haemostatic plug
- BLOOD COAGULATION - fibrin, permanent haemostatic plugs
- FIBRINOLYSIS - plasmin to remove fibrin thrombi
what is the role of platelets in clotting
- role is in the EARLY PHASE OF HAEMOSTASIS act via
1) ADHESION - platelets are attracted to exposed collagen
- activation: release of cytoplasmic granules
2) AGGREGATION: - accumulation/aggregation of LARGE NUMBERS of platelets to form haemostatic plug
describe blood coagulation and the roles of enzymes and ifactors in this process
- blood coagulation is req for events where platelets alone cannot stop blood loss
- PLASMA PRECURSORS in blood –> forms FIRBRIN –> which forms a PERMANENT HAEMOSTATIC PLUG
- activation of a series of clotting factors that are normally present in the INACTIVE FORM
- THROMBIN is the key enzyme
- some factors are SERINE PROTEASES
- many clotting factors are synthesised in the LIVER
- some (II, VII, IX, X) require VITAMIN K for their synthesis
what is the effect of a Vit K deficiency on blood clotting
- factors II, VII, IX and X req for blood clotting req VIT K
- O if there is a Vit K deficiency there may be lower levels of coagulating factors
- O more tendency to bleed
what are the 3 pathways in coagulation
1) intrinsic
2) extrinsic
both come to common pathway
what can intiate the intrinsic/extrinsic pathways
- damaged vessel (intrinsic)
- tissue damage (extrinsic)
do the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways act separately
no they act together
- there is feedback
- when factor VII is activated in the EXTRINSIC pathway, factor IX is stimulated from the INTRINSIC PATHWAY, thus stimulating it (+ve feedback)
why are factors VIII and IX important
cause haemophilia a and b
what is fibrinolysis
- once bleeding stops, this is the process to enzymatically break down the fibrin in blood clots (to prevent thrombus formation)
describe fibrinolysis
- PLASMIN breaks down fibrin –> fibrin dgradation products
- plasmin is formed form the conversion of PLASMINOGEN to plasmin using t-PA (tissue plasminogen activator) and XIIa and IIa
- t-PA is released when there is tissue damage
- XIIa and IIa are CLOTTING FACTORS that also have a role in converison of plasminogen to plasmin
which process is more predominant, clotting or fibrinolysis?
fibrinolysis under normal conditions (if there is no cell injury)
how can we diagnose and treat haemostatic disorders
we need clinical laboratory testing
- vast array of lab tests used to assess haemostasis
what is the role of routine and specialised tests of haemostasis
why do we use control plasma
- routine tests determine normal haemostasis
- specialised tests used to determine the type of abnormality if an abnormality has been found in routine testing
- control plasma: all tests must have control sample run at the same time as tests will VARY BETWEEN LABORATORIES so the difference between the control and patient may be more important than normal ranges
- this is an INTERNAL CONTROL
how are samples collected for testing
- a clean venous blood sample for coagulation
- blood should IMMEDIATELY be put into plastic tubes cont the appropriate anticoagulants
1) POTASSIUM EDTA: full blood count
2) SODIUM CITRATE: clotting studies - blood should be GENTLY MIXED
- blood should be tested ASAP (
why do samples need to have platelets removed
how can we achieve this
if the sample cont platelets, it will IMMEDIATELY activate clotting factors
- so we need PPP (platelet poor plasma)
- Accurate coagulation testing requires the plasma free of platelets (except platelet function tests)
- Immediately spin the sample (3000rpm, 10 min)
- Keep the sample at room temperature until PPP obtained to prevent platelet activation
- Test immediately or remove the plasma and store (at 4degreesC for a few hours or - 40degreesC for several wks)