Haem: Coagulation Pt.2 Flashcards
How is the common final pathway monitored?
Thrombin time (TT)
Assesses the activity of fibrinogen
Why is the prothrombinase complex important?
It allows activation of prothombin at a much faster rate
What is required for adequate production/absorption of vitamin K?
- Bacteria in the gut produce Vitamin K
- It is fat-soluble so bile is needed for viatmin K to be absorbed
What is the most common cause of vitamin K deficiency?
Warfarin
Name two factors that convert plasminogen to plasmin.
- Tissue plasminogen activator
- Urokinase
Name a factor that inhibits the tissue plasminogen activator and urokinase.
Plasmingoen activtor inhibitor 1 and 2
Name two factors that directly inhibit plasmin.
- Alpha-2 antiplasmin
- Alpha-2 macroglobulin
What is the role of thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI)?
Inhibitor of fibrin breakdown
Describe the action of antithrombins.
Bind to thrombin in a 1:1 ratio and this complex is excreted in the urine
How many types of antithrombin are there?
Five (antithrombin-III is the most active)
What is the most thrombogenic hereditary condition?
Antithrombin deficiency
Outline the role of protein C and protein S.
- Trace amounts of thrombin generated at the start of the clotting cascade activate thrombomodulin
- This allows protein C to bind to thrombomodulin through the endothelial protein C receptor
- Protein C is then fully activated in the presence of protein S
- Fully activated protein C will inactivate factors 5a and 8a
Why does Factor V Leiden cause a prothrombotic state?
The factor 5a will be resistant to breakdown by protein C.
State two causes of activated protein C resistance.
- Mutated factor 5 (e.g. factor V Leiden)
- High levels of factor 8
What is the role of tissue factor pathway inhibitor?
- TFPI neutralises the tissue factor-factor 7a complex once it has initiated the clotting cascade