Haemostasis Flashcards
What is haemostasis?
the cellular and biochemical processes that enables both the specific and regulated cessation of bleeding in response to vascular insult
what is the purpose of haemostasis?
Prevention of blood loss from intact vessels
Arrest bleeding from injured vessels
enable tissue repair
what are the 4 major steps of haemostasis?
vasoconstriction, primary haemostasis, secondary haemostasis, fibrinolysis
what occurs during the vasoconstriction step of haemostasis?
Endothelinis released from endothelial lining of blood vessels, these bind to specific receptors on the smooth muscle of the blood vessels causing vasoconstriction and the release of NOX and prostaglandins
What does the balance of haemostasis depend on?
The balance between coagulation factors which cause a clot and fibrinolytic factors which break down the clot
What is the role of platelets following injury to a blood vessel wall?
Stick to damaged endothelium and become activated, causing a change in their structure to form spicules to encourage platelet-platelet adhesion aswell as stimulating the platelet release reaction
In what two ways do platelets bind to damaged endothelium following injury to a blood vessel?
Directly to collagen via the platelet GPIa receptor or indirectly via von Willebrand factor (VWF) which binds to platelet GPIb
What occurs during the platelet release reaction?
The platelet membrane is invaginated to form a surface-connected canalicular system in which the contents of their granules can be released
What are the important components of platelet granules?
ADP, fibrinogen, VWF
What is VWF a specific carrier for?
Factor 8
How is VWF synthesized?
Synthesized by endothelial cells and megakaryocytes
What does ADP do in the platelet release reaction?
Binds to P2Y12 receptor resulting in further platelet recruitment activation and aggregation
What are the roles of nitric oxide and prostacyclin under normal conditions?
Ensure blood remains thin
What occurs during primary haemostasis?
VWF in the blood binds to exposed collagen on endothelial cells. Platelets bind to VWF using GP1B. This activates the platelets allow them to bind more platelets and release VWF and serotonin.
GP2a/3b receptor exposed allowing platelets to bind fibrinogen - links platelets to form a plug
What happens to platelets when activated?
Change shape and the membrane forms spicules
What does the release of calcium from platelets in primary haemostasis allow for?
Secondary haemostasis
What is prostacyclin?
Vasodilator that circulates to ensure inappropriate coagulation does not occur
What is the action of aspirin?
Binds irreversibly to COX enzyme which inhibits thromboxane A2 receptors meaning less platelet aggregation
what is the action of clopidogrel?
Antiplatelet drug - binds to and blocks ADP P2Y12 receptors. Effects last 7 days
Why do we need to understand haemostatic mechanisms?
Diagnose and treat bleeding disorders
Control bleeding in individuals who do not have an underlying bleeding disorder
Identify risk factors for thrombosis
Treat thrombotic disorders
Monitor the drugs that are used to treat bleeding and thrombotic disorders
What things can cause a decrease in coagulant factors and platelets, but an increase in fibrinolytic factors and anticoagulant proteins?
Lack of a specific factor - failure of production: congenital and acquired. Increased consumption/clearance
Defective function of a specific factor - genetic or acquired
What is the purpose of primary haemostasis?
To limit blood loss and provide a surface for coagulation
What does thrombocytopoenia describe?
Low platelet numbers
What are the two mechanisms behind thrombocytopenia?
Bone marrow failure: leukaemia, B12 deficiency
Accelerated clearance: immune (ITP), disseminated intravascular coagulation
What is ITP?
Immune cytopoenic purpura: sufficient numbers are made but are destroyed in peripheral circulation and cleared by reticuloendothelial cells
What is disseminated intravascular coagulation?
Pooling and destruction of platelets in an enlarged spleen
What are the three main types of disorder of primary haemostasis?
Platelets
VWF
Vessel wall
What are some hereditary causes of impaired platelet function?
Hereditary absence of glycoproteins or storage granules:
Glanzmanns thromboasthenia
Bernard soulier syndrome
Storage pool disease
What is Glanzmanns thrombasthenia?
Absence of Gp2b/3a on surface of platelets
What is Bernard soulier syndrome?
Absence of GP1B receptors on platelets
What is storage pool disease?
Reduction in granular contents of platelets
What drugs can cause impaired platelet function?
Aspirin, NSAIDS, clopidogrel -> common
What is Von willebrands disease?
A deficiency or defective VWF or low levels of factor 8
What are the main types of vWD?
Inherited: deficiency (type 1 and 3)
VWF with abnormal function (type 2)
Acquired: due to antibody (rare)
What are the functions of Von Willebrand factor?
Binding to collagen and capturing platelets, stabilising factor 8
What are the three types of inherited disorders of vessel walls affecting haemostasis?
Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Other connective tissue disorders
What are the tree types of acquired disorders of vessel walls affecting haemostasis?
Steroid therapy
Ageing
Vasculitis
Scurvy
Are inherited or acquired disorders of vessel walls affecting haemostasis more common?
Acquired
What is ecchymosis?
Bruising > 10mm
What is petechiae?
Clinical feature of thrombocytopenia
Small spots caused by bleeding underneath the skin
What is senile purpura?
Ecchymoses that occur on elderly patients extensor surfaces due to peri vascular connective tissue atrophy
Bruising under skin
Not dangerous and no further work-up needed
What are the clinical features of disorders of primary haemostasis?
Typical primary haemostasis bleeding:
Immediate, prolonged bleeding from cuts
Nose bleeds, gum bleeding, heavy menstrual bleeding
Ecchymoses and prolonged bleeding after trauma or surgery
What is pupura?
Condition of red/purple discoloured spots on skin that do not black when pressure is applied
Normally between 3-10mm and can be found over mucosal surface e.g. gums
What types of disorders are purpura often seen in?
Platelet disorders e,g, thrombocytopenic purpura or vascular disorders
In severe VWD clinical features resemble what?
Haemophilia-like bleeding due to low factor 8
What are the tests done for disorders of primary haemostasis?
Platelet count, platelet morphology
•Bleeding time (PFA100 in lab)
•Assays of von Willebrand Factor
•Clinical observation
•Note –coagulation screen (PT, APTT) is normal (except more severe VWD cases where FVIII is low)
Outline the principles of treatment of abnormal haemostasis
Failure of production/function
-Replace missing factor/platelets e.g. VWF containing concentrates
i) Prophylactic
ii) Therapeutic
-Stop drugs e.g. aspirin/NSAIDs
•Immune destruction
-Immunosuppression (e.g. prednisolone)
-Splenectomy for ITP
•Increased consumption
-Treat cause
-Replace as necessary
What is secondary haemostasis?
Stabilisation of the platelet plug with fibrin
Coagulation cascade
Production of thrombin (2a) which converts fibrinogen to fibrin - stops blood loss
What are the three mechanisms of disorders of coagulation?
Deficiency of coagulation factor production
Dilution of coagulation factor
Increased consumption of coagulation factor
What can cause a deficiency of a coagulation factor and thus a disorder of coagulation?
Hereditary - factor 8/9, haemophilia A/B
Acquired - liver disease, anticoagulant drugs, direct oral anticoagulants
How can coagulation factors be diluted resulting in a disorder of coagulation?
Blood transfusion with insufficient plasma being given
How can increased consumption result in a disorder of coagulation?
Acquired - disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) (common)
Immune - antibodies (rare)
What are the main hereditary coagulation disorders?
Haemophilia A (Factor VIII deficiency)
•Haemophilia B (Factor IX deficiency)
• sex linked
•1 in 104 births
•Others are very rare (autosomal recessive)
What is the hallmark of haemophilia?
Haemarthrosis - bleeding into the joint
What does the term haemophilia mean?
Failure to generate fibrin to stabilise the platelet plug
What are the sequelae of haemarthrosis?
Chronic haemarthrosis leads to muscle wasting
Friable synovial lining bleeds spontaneously
Leads to joint deformity
Why should intramuscular injection be avoided in haemophilia patients?
Leads to extensive haematoma
Acquired coagulation disorders are more common where?
In hospital
A deficiency in coagulation factor 8 and 9 (haemophilia) causes what?
Spontaneous joint and muscle bleeding, is severe but compatible with life