haemostasis Flashcards
What is haemostasis?
Haemostasis is the mechanism by which the body ensures that blood remains fluid while damaged vessels are quickly fixed to stop excess loss.
Why is haemostasis important?
Haemostasis is important because bleeding due to injury must stop quickly to minimise blood loss. Problems with haemostasis can lead to either haemorrhage or excessive blood clot formation, both of which can be extremely dangerous and can lead to death if not treated quickly.
What is primary haemostasis?
Primary haemostasis is the initial response to blood vessel injury and involves interactions between platelets and vascular endothelial cells.
What is secondary haemostasis?
Secondary haemostasis involves the coagulation cascade and the activation of clotting factors that leads to the formation of a fibrin clot, which helps to stabilise the platelet plug and prevent further blood loss.
What are the two main stages of haemostasis?
The two main stages of haemostasis are primary haemostasis and secondary haemostasis.
What is the coagulation cascade?
The coagulation cascade is a series of reactions that involves the activation of clotting factors and the formation of a fibrin clot, which helps to stabilise the platelet plug and prevent further blood loss.
What are the consequences of problems with haemostasis?
Problems with haemostasis can lead to either haemorrhage or excessive blood clot formation, both of which can be extremely dangerous and can lead to death if not treated quickly.
How can haemostasis be managed?
Haemostasis can be managed through a variety of methods, including medications that prevent excessive blood clot formation, blood transfusions to replace lost blood, and surgery to repair damaged blood vessels.
What is the process of erythropoiesis?
Erythropoiesis is the process by which red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow.
What hormone stimulates erythropoiesis?
The hormone erythropoietin (EPO) stimulates erythropoiesis.
What is the process of thrombopoiesis?
Thrombopoiesis is the process by which platelets are produced in the bone marrow.
What hormone stimulates thrombopoiesis?
The hormone thrombopoietin (TPO) stimulates thrombopoiesis.
What is the role of von Willebrand factor (vWF) in primary hemostasis?
vWF is a protein that helps platelets adhere to the site of vascular injury and form a platelet plug.
What is the role of fibrinogen in secondary hemostasis?
Fibrinogen is a protein that is converted to fibrin through the coagulation cascade, which forms the structural basis of a blood clot.
What is the function of megakaryocytes in haemostasis?
Megakaryocytes are responsible for forming platelets via endomitosis in the bone marrow.
What is endomitosis?
Endomitosis is a type of cell division in which DNA replication occurs without cell division. This results in a cell with a large, complicated nucleus containing multiple copies of DNA.
How are platelets formed from megakaryocytes?
The megakaryocyte cytoskeleton rearranges and pro-platelet extensions are formed in the periphery of the megakaryocyte. Microtubules facilitate the movement of organelles in the pro-platelets extensions, which consist of part of the megakaryocyte cytoplasm.
What are the membrane glycoproteins involved in platelet function?
The membrane glycoproteins involved in platelet function include Glycoprotein Ib, Glycoproteins Ia – IIa and VI, and Glycoproteins IIb/IIIa.
What is the function of Glycoprotein Ib in platelet function?
Glycoprotein Ib plays a role in initial platelet attachment to von Willebrand factor and the vascular endothelium.
What is the function of Glycoproteins Ia – IIa and VI in platelet function?
Glycoproteins Ia – IIa and VI facilitate platelet adhesion to collagen.
What is the function of Glycoproteins IIb/IIIa in platelet function?
Glycoproteins IIb/IIIa are involved in adhesion to fibrinogen and additional adhesion to von Willebrand factor, as well as platelet-to-platelet adhesion.
What are the contents of electron dense granules in platelets?
- Nucleotides (ADP)
- Serotonin
- Ca2+
What are the contents of alpha granules in platelets?
- Fibrinogen
- Factor V
- Heparin antagonist
- Platelet Derived Growth Factor (PDGF)
How does vascular injury lead to platelet adhesion and activation?
- Vascular injury exposes collagen fibres which causes platelet adhesion and activation.
- The endothelial damage and exposure of collagen triggers the platelet adhesion.
What is the role of serotonin in haemostasis?
Serotonin causes vasoconstriction and reduces blood flow.
What is the role of nitric oxide in haemostasis?
Endothelial cells and macrophages secrete nitric oxide (NO) inhibiting platelet activation and promoting vasodilation.
What is the role of platelet aggregation in haemostasis?
Platelet aggregation with their phospholipid surface offers a “platform” for the coagulation cascade.
What is the role of platelets in haemostasis?
Platelets play a vital role in haemostasis by facilitating primary haemostasis, which involves the interaction between platelets and vascular endothelial cells. Platelets adhere to collagen fibres, become activated, and release their granule contents, which includes nucleotides (ADP), serotonin, Ca2+, fibrinogen, factor V, heparin antagonist, and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). The phospholipid surface of the aggregated platelets serves as a “platform” for the coagulation cascade, which leads to the formation of a blood clot.
What is the function of von Willebrand factor in platelet function?
Von Willebrand factor (VWF) is a large multimeric glycoprotein that is synthesised by endothelial cells and megakaryocytes. In platelets, VWF is stored in alpha granules and is released upon activation. The multimers of VWF bind strongly to platelets and subendothelial collagen, facilitating platelet adhesion and aggregation. In addition, VWF stabilises factor VIII of the coagulation cascade. The cleavage of large VWF multimers by the metalloproteinase ADAMTS13 is crucial for its function. In Von Willebrand disease, which is a blood clotting disorder, excessive bleeding is observed due to the deficiency of VWF.
What is the role of nitric oxide in platelet function?
Nitric oxide (NO) is a molecule that is secreted by endothelial cells and macrophages, which inhibits platelet activation and promotes vasodilation. The release of NO by endothelial cells prevents platelet adhesion and aggregation, which helps to maintain the fluidity of the blood. In addition, NO plays a crucial role in regulating blood pressure by promoting vasodilation.
What initiates the coagulation cascade in the extrinsic pathway?
The interaction between Tissue Factor and Factor VII.
Which factors are activated by the Tissue Factor-Factor VII complex in the extrinsic pathway?
Factor X, Factor IX, and Factor XI.
Is the amount of thrombin formed during the extrinsic pathway sufficient for the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin?
No, only a small amount of thrombin is formed.
What is the purpose of the intrinsic pathway in the coagulation cascade?
To amplify the coagulation cascade signalling pathway.
What factors are activated by thrombin during the intrinsic pathway?
Factor VIII and Factor V.
What is the role of Ca2+ in the intrinsic pathway?
Ca2+ is required for the intrinsic pathway to occur.