Haemostasis Flashcards
What is haemostasis?
specific and regulated cessation of bleeding in response to vascular injury
Stopping blood flow after trauma
Reasons for homeostasis
Prevent blood loss
Enable tissue repair
Mechanism of haemostasis
Endothelial injury
Vessel constriction - limit blood flow to injured vessels
1º Homeostasis - form platelet plug to limit blood loss
2º Homeostasis - clot stabilisation w/ fibrin
Fibrinolysis - vessel repair/clot destruction
Balance model of haemostasis
Bleeding - Fibrinolytics, anticoagulants
Thrombosis - Platelets, coagulants
What can tip the balance towards bleeding
Lack of clotting factor - ^consumption/failed production
Clotting actor dysfunction - Genetic/Acq (drugs)
Summarise the mechanism of 1º Haemostasis
- Adhesion (platelets bind collagen via GP1a/damaged endothelium via VWF/GP1b)
- Activation (granule release: ADP/thromboxane A2 -> further activation and aggregation)
- Aggregation (GP2b/3a bind fibrinogen to signal formation of platelet plug)
What are the three structures that can be affected in primary haemostasis disorders?
Platelets,
VWF,
Vessel Wall
What are the two causes of platelet disorders?
Thrombocytopenia (low number),
Impaired Function
What are the two causes of thrombocytopenia, with examples?
Bone marrow failure (leukaemia/B12 deficiency)
Accelerated Clearance (ITP, DIC, Splenomegaly)
What is ITP and how does it work?
Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura - autoantibodies bind to platelet and bring to macrophage for removal
What are the two ways of having impaired platelet function?
Hereditary (absence of glycoproteins on platelets) - rare
Acquired (NSAIDs, Aspirin, Clopidogrel)
How does aspirin work?
Inhibits synthesis of thromboxane A2 from arachidonic acid pathway - cannot form platelet plug
Irreversibly blocks COX
How long do the effects of aspirin last and why?
7 days - platelets will be regenerated
How does clopidogrel work?
Binds to ADP receptor on platelets preventing activation
Receptor P2Y12
Disorder affecting VWF
Von Willebrand disease
Hereditary red./LOF of VWF
can also be acq due to antibodies
2 Functions of VWF in haemostasis
Adhesion of platelets via GP1b
Stabilise clotting factor 8
What are the types of Von Willebrand disease?
Deficiency (Type 1 & 3), Abnormal function (Type 2)
What are some examples of vessel wall disorders?
Inherited - Ehlers Danlos Syndrome / connective tissue disorders
Acquired - Steroid Therapy, Ageing, Scurvy
What are the clinical features of disorders from primary haemostasis?
Immediate prolonged bleeding after impact, usually into the skin: nose bleeds (epistaxis), gum bleeds, menstrual heavy bleeds
What are the dermatological features of primary haemostasis disorders and how can you tell them apart?
Petechiae, Purpura, Ecchymoses: (bleeding under the skin) purpura is non-blanching with pressure(<3mm, 3-10mm, >10mm)
(pUrpura - Unblanching)
What sign is characteristic of thrombocytopenia
Petechiae - small spots caused by subdermal bleeding
<3mm
What are the main tests for primary haemostasis disorders?
Bleeding time,
Platelet count,
Clinical obs
Coag screen - PT and APTT will be normal
How to treat failure of prod/function of factors
Replace missing factors/platelets (can be prophylactic)
Stop causative drugs e.g. NSAIDs
How to treat immune destruction in abnormal haemostasis
Immunosuppression - prednisolone
Splenectomy in ITP
What are some additional general abnormal haemostasis treatment?
Desmopressin (^ VWF/factor 8),
Tranexamic Acid - antifibrinolytic
Fibrin Glue
What is the role of coagulation (2º Haemostasis)
Thrombin (IIa) formation for the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin
Mechanism of 2º Haemostasis
- Initiation - TF on endothelium exp which activates 2,7,9,10 (rq vit.K). Small amount of thrombin formed from prothrombin
- Amplification - IIa activates 5,8 which lead to greater prothrombin activation
- Propagation - Huge burst of thrombin made to stabilise the clot
3 causes of Coag disorders
Deficiency of Coagulation Factor (Hereditary/acq)
Dilution (blood transfusion)
Increased Consumption (DIC/autoimmunity)
What are the two types of deficiency of coagulation factor with examples?
Hereditary (haemophilia A/B, factor 8/9 deficiency), Acquired (liver disease, anticoagulants)
What is Haemophilia
Failure to generate fibrin for stabilisation of platelet plug
What are the two hallmark features of haemophilia?
Haemarthrosis - bleeding into joint
Chronic leads to muscle wasting
What injections should you avoid in haemophilia?
Intramuscular - due to risk of muscle bleeding which is hard to control