Haemostasis Flashcards
what is haemostasis?
The arrest of bleeding and the maintenance of vascular patency
what are the components of a normal haemostatic system?
Primary Haemstasis - platelet plug
Secondary - fibrin clot
Fibrinolysis
Anticoagulant Defences
what are the three stages of primary haemostasis?
Adhesion
Aggregation
Activation
what occurs in the adhesion stage of primary haemostasis?
Platelets bind to subendothelial collagen via Glycoprotein 1b and Von Willebrand Factor
what occurs in the aggregation stage of primary haemostasis?
Platelets attach to each other via GPIIb/IIIa and fibrinogen.
Activation stage occurs at same time.
what occurs in the activation stage of primary haemostasis?
Aggregation stage occurs at the same time
Platelets alter shape to expose phospholipid for coagulation activation and fibrin production.
Granules further stimulate platelet activation/recruitment eg Thrombin,Thromboxane A2 and ADP via receptors. Positive feedback loop as more platelets stick.
what is the role of the additional chemicals in primary haemostasis?
ADP attracts more platelets, serotonin is a vasoconstrictor and thromboxane A2 assists in aggregation, vasoconstriction and degranulation.
what is the initial step of secondary hameostasis?
platelets release calcium on surface (+ve surface) attracts -ve blood clotting factors
Damage tissue releases TF
what is are the steps in coagulation
TF activates VIIa
TF/VIIa then activate V/Xa – which activates prothrombin (factor 2) into thrombin (2a)
2a then activates fibrinogen and also VIII/IXa (and XI/XII)
VIII/Ixa reactivates V/Xa increasing fibrinogen (amplification)
what are the different classifications of causes of primary haemostasis?
Vascular (vessel wall)
Platelets
Von Willebrand Factor
What are the causes of vascular related primary haemostasis failure?
hereditary acquired ageing (lose collagen) scurvy steroid therapy Vasculitis – Henoch-Schonlein Purpura syndrome marfaarns syndrome
What are the causes of platelets related primary haemostasis failure?
thrombocytopenia
• reduced production – pancytopenia
• increased destruction, DIC, Autoimmune - Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), Hypersplenism
Reduced Function - drugs, renal failure
what is the cause of Von Willebrand disease?
autosomal dominant
what are the clinical features of primary haemostasis failure?
- Spontaneous Bruising and Purpura
- Mucosal Bleeding - Epistaxes, GI (mouth), Conjunctival, Menorrhagia
- Intracranial haemorrhage
- Retinal haemorrhages
how is primary haemostasis failure diagnosed?
platelet counts
what are the different causes of secondary haemostasis failure?
single clotting factor deficiency
multiple clotting factor deficiency
increased fibrinolysis
what are the causes of single clotting factor deficiency?
Haemophilia
what are the causes of multiple clotting factor deficiency?
Usually acquired
Liver failure
Vitamin K Deficiency - poor dietary intake, malabsorption, obstructive jaundice, warfarin therapy, haemorrhagic disease of new-born
Complex coagulopathy
DIC - microthrombus (end organ failure), clotting factor consumption (bruising, purpura, bleeding)
what are the clinical features of Failure of Secondary Haemostasis?
• No characteristic clinical syndrome • May be combined primary/secondary haemostatic failure • Pattern of bleeding depends on o Single/multiple abnormalities o The clotting factors involved
what are the two tests for failure of secondary haemostasis?
- prothrombin time (TF/VIIa) = measures initiation
* Activated partial Thromboplastin Time (VIII/IXa) = amplification
what is thrombophilia?
: Familial or acquired disorders of the haemostatic mechanism which are likely to predispose to thrombosis
what are the different mechanisms of thrombophilia?
Increased coagulation activity - Platelet plug or Fibrin clot formation
Decreased fibrinolytic activity
Decreased anticoagulant activity - decreased serine protease inhibitors, Protein C and Protein S
what are the clinical features of thrombophilia?
- DVT and PE
- Recurrent miscarriage
- Complications of pregnancy
- Purpura Fulminans (clotting disorder of newborn (give Vit K)
- Skin necrosis
what are the hereditary causes of thrombophilia?
- Factor V Leiden
- Prothrombin 20210 mutation
- Antithrombin deficiency
- Protein C deficiency
- Protein S deficiency
what are the features to consider hereditary thrombophilia screening?
o Venous thrombosis <45 years old o Recurrent venous thrombosis o Unusual venous thrombosis o Family history of venous thrombosis o Family history of thrombophilia
what is the management of hereditary thrombophilia?
- Advice on avoiding risk
- Short term prophylaxis - to prevent thrombotic events during periods of known risk
- Short term anticoagulation -to treat thrombotic events
- Long term anticoagulation - recurrent thrombotic events
what is acquired thrombophilia?
Antiphospholipid Syndrome
what are the causes of Antiphospholipid Syndrome?
o Autoimmune Disorders o Lymphoproliferative Disorders o Viral Infections o Drugs o Primary
what is the pathophysiology of APS?
- Antibodies cause conformational change in β2 glycoprotein 1 - activates primary and secondary haemostasis and vessel wall abnormalities.
- Autoantibodies have specificity for anionic phospholipids, can prolong phospholipid dependant coagulation tests in vitro
- Also known as Lupus anticoagulants
what are the clinical features of APS?
Recurrent thromboses - Arterial, including TIAs, Venous
• Recurrent fetal loss
• Mild thrombocytopenia (using up thrombin making clots)
how can APS be diagnosed?
- Prothrombin Time
* APTT
what is the management of APS?
- Activation of both primary and secondary haemostasis
- management of Arterial and venous thrombosis
- Aspirin
- Warfarin
what is the platelet level in TTP?
↓↓↓
what is the platelet level in ITP?
↓↓↓
what is the platelet level in HIT?
↓↓
what is the haemoglobin level in TTP?
↓↓
what is the haemoglobin level in ITP?
Normal
what is the haemoglobin level in HIT?
Normal
what is the LDH level in TTP?
↑↑↑
what is the LDH level in ITP?
Normal
what is the LDH level in HIT?
Normal
what is the indirect bilirubin level in TTP?
↑
what is the indirect bilirubin level in ITP?
Normal
what is the indirect bilirubin level in HIT?
Normal
what is the haptoglobin level in TTP?
↓
what is the haptoglobin level in ITP?
Normal
what is the haptoglobin level in HIT?
Normal
what is the reticulocyte level in TTP?
↑
what is the reticulocyte level in ITP?
Normal
what is the reticulocyte level in HIT?
Normal
what is the schistocyte level in TTP?
↑↑↑
what is the schistocyte level in ITP?
Normal
what is the schistocyte level in HIT?
↑
what is the underlying mechanism of Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT)?
Exposure to heparin/LMWH causes IgG autoantibodies to be formed against it
what i the pathophysiology of HIT?
- Exposure to heparin/LMWH → IgG autoantibodies formed against heparin → platelet factor 4 (PF4) binds to heparin →antibody-heparin-PF4 complex →increased platelet activation → thrombosis formation in arteries, veins
- Increased consumption of platelets for clotting + removal of antibody-heparin-PF4 complexes by macrophages of reticuloendothelial system →thrombocytopenia
what is the severity of Type 1 HIT?
Transient, mild, not clinically significant
what is the severity of Type 2 HIT?
Complications can be life-threatening
what is the onset of Type 1 HIT?
1-4 days after exposure
what is the onset of Type 2 HIT?
5-10 days after exposure
how is Type 1 HIT mediated?
Not antibody mediated; may be caused by heparin-induced platelet aggregation
how is Type 2 HIT mediated?
Antibody Mediated (IgG)
what is the Nadir platelet count in Type 1 HIT?
100,000/microL:
what is the Nadirplatelet count in Type 2 HIT?
60,000/microL
what are the causes of HIT?
Heparin
- Unfractionated > LMWH
- Prophylactic dose > therapeutic doses > intermittent heparin flushes
Acquired platelet disorder - heparin-induced thrombocytopenia thrombosis (HITT)
what are the clinical features of HIT?
- Skin necrosis at injection site
- Acute systemic reaction after IV heparin bolus = Fever with chills, tachycardia, hypertension, dyspnoea
- Limb ischemia, organ infarction - kidney, MI, CNS insult,
- VTE
how is HIT diagnosed?
HIT antibody testing
which antibodies are tested for in HIT?
o ELISA for anti-PF4
o Functional assay – Serotonin release assay
o HIPA – heparin induced platelet aggregation
what is the management of HIT?
Medication - discontinuation of heparin, administration of non-heparin anticoagulant
Surgery – thromboembolectomy
what is underlying mechanism of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)?
B cells produce IgG autoantibodies against platelet glycoproteins (e.g. IIb/IIIa, Ib/IX complexes)
what is the pathophysiology of ITP?
B cells produce IgG autoantibodies against platelet glycoproteins → platelets coated with antibodies recognized as “non-self” by splenic macrophages → platelet destruction
what are primary causes of ITP?
Idiopathic
what are secondary causes of ITP?
o Viral infections – HIV, hepatitis C, cytomegalovirus
o SLE, lymphoid malignancy, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
what are drug induced causes of ITP?
Quinidine, phenytoin, valproic acid, rifampin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, sulfonamides
what are risk factors of ITP?
age, genetic/acquired factors
what are the clinical features of ITP?
- Bruising easily after minor trauma
- Mucocutaneous bleeding - Petechiae, purpura, epistaxis, gingival bleeding
- severe ITP - <10,000-20,000/microL
- Refractory - Severe ITP, fails to respond to/relapses after splenectomy
how is ITP diagnosed?
- Low Platelets
- Blood smear – scarce platelets
- Assays – drug dependent platelet antibodies
what is the initial management of ITP?
raise platelet count – high dose glucocorticoid (dexamethasone, prednisolone), Immune globulin (IVIG)
what are the complications of ITP?
Severe haemorrhage
o Intracranial bleeding, subarachnoid haemorrhage, gastrointestinal (GI) haemorrhage, haematuria, severe menorrhagia
what is the further management of ITP?
- Rituximab, thrombopoietin (TPO), immunosuppressive
* Surgery – splenectomy
what is the underlying mechanism of THROMBOTIC THROMBOCYTOPENIC PURPURA (TTP)?
caused by deficient activity of ADAMTS13 protease
what is the function of ADAMTS13?
breaks vWF molecules into smaller multimers, prevents excessive accumulation on endothelial surfaces in microvasculature
what is the pthophysiology vWF?
Excessive vWF on endothelial surfaces→ increased propensity for platelets to attach, accumulate (esp. in high pressure areas with shearing stress) + endothelial damage → platelet-rich thrombi in microcirculation
what is the consequences of TTP?
tissue ischemia, organ dysfunction, microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia (MAHA - schistocytes), thrombocytopenia
what organs are most affected in TTP?
Brain, heart, adrenal glands, pancreas, kidneys
what are the causes of ADAMTS13 deficiency in TTP?
Acquired inhibitory autoantibody (IgG) to ADAMTS13; inherited mutation of ADAMTS13 gene (minority)
what are the risk factors of TTP?
female, african descent, SLE
• Sepsis, liver disease, pancreatitis, cardiac surgery, pregnancy
what are the 5 pentad features of TTP?
o Thrombocytopenia o MAHA o renal dysfunction o neurologic impairment (e.g. headache, confusion, seizures, coma) o fever
what are the additional clinical features of TTP?
- Mucocutaneous bleeding – petechiae, purpura, epitaxies, gingival bleeding
- Intravascular haemolysis – dark urine
- Light-headedness, abdo pain, easy bruising, nausea/vomiting
what is the management of TTP?
- glucocorticoids
- monoclonal antibody
- plasma exchange (PEX)
how is TTP diagnosed?
- FBC
- Peripheral
- Haemolysis
- elevated Creatinine (renal)
- ADAMTS13 assay, ADAMTS13 inhibiotr assay, genetic testing
what are the features of FBC in TTP?
decreased platelet count, increased reticulocyte count, decreased haemglobin, hematocrit
what are the features of peripheral blood smear in TTP?
schistocytes, spherocytes
what are the features of haemolysis in TTP?
elevated LDG, elevated indirect bilirubin, reduced haptoglobin
what is the function of Von Willebrand Factor?
o large glycoprotein
o promotes platelet adhesion to damaged endothelium
o carrier molecule for factor VIII
What is Type 1 VWD?
partial reduction in vWF
What is Type 2 VWD?
abnormal form of vWF
What is Type 3 VWD?
total lack of vWF
what is the cause of Type 2A VWD?
defective platelet adhesion due to decreased high molecular weight VWF multimers (i.e. the VWF protein is too small).
what is the cause of Type 2B VWD?
characterised by a pathological increase of VWF-platelet interaction (increased affinity)
what is the cause of Type 2M VWD?
decrease in VWF-platelet interaction (not related to loss of high molecular weight multimers).
what is the cause of Type 2N VWD?
by abnormal binding of the VWF to Factor VIII.
how is VWD inherited?
- autosomal dominant
* type 3 inherited as autosomal recessive
what are the clinical features of VWD?
- positive family history
- excessive or prolonged bleeding
- postoperative bleeding
- easy/excessive bruising
- menorrhagia-
- GI bleeding
- epistaxis
how is VWD diagnosed?
- prolonged bleeding time
- prolonged APTT
- factor VIII levels reduced
- defective platelet aggregation with ristocetin
how is VWD managed?
- tranexamic acid for mild bleeding
- desmopressin (DDAVP)
- factor VIII concentrate
what are the causes of DIC?
- Infection/ Sepsis
- Malignancy
- Trauma e.g. major surgery, burns, Hypovolemic shock, dissecting aortic aneurysm
- Liver disease
- Obstetric complications
what are the clinical features of DIC?
- oliguria, hypotension or tachycardia
- purpura fulminans, gangrene, or acral cyanosis
- delirium or comapetechiae, ecchymosis, oozing, haematuria
- end organ damage
what is the pathophysiology of DIC?
- continuous generation of intravascular fibrin and consumption/depletion of procoagulants and platelets
- impaired fibrinolytic system
- Mutual potentiation between the inflammatory and coagulation pathways
- microvascular thrombus formation
- clotting factor consumption
what causes an impaired fibrinolytic system in DIC?
decreased production of plasmin due to a sustained increase in plasma level of plasminogen activator inhibitor type I (PAI-I).
what is the Mutual potentiation between the inflammatory and coagulation pathways?
o Interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor are cytokines that activate the coagulation pathway.
o products produced by coagulation, such as factor Xa, thrombin, and fibrin, activate endothelial cells to release pro-inflammatory cytokines.
what leads to continued production of fibrin and depletion of platelets in DIC?
Without the functional counteraction from the anticoagulant pathways, increased thrombin continuously amplifies the coagulation cascade through its positive feedback and consumptive depletion of procoagulants and platelets, finally leading to widespread fibrin deposition, resulting in multi-organ failure.
what are the diagnostic features of DIC?
- prothrombin time prolonged
- APTT prolonged
- Bleeding time prolonged
- Platelet Count low
how is DIC managed?
- Treat the underlying cause
- Replacement therapy – cryoprecipitate (fibrinogen. factor VIII, thrombin)
- Platelet, plasma transfusions
haemophilia A is a deficiency of which factor?
Factor VIII
haemophilia B is a deficiency of which factor?
Factor IX
haemophilia affects which part of hemostasis?
Secondary haemostasis only
what are the causes of hameophilia?
X linked, hereditary disorder
what are the clinical features of haemophilia?
- bleeding from medium to large blood vessels
- Mild moderate and severely affected families depending on factor VIII/IX level
- Recurrent Haemarthroses
- Recurrent soft tissue bleeds
- bruising in toddlers
- Prolonged bleeding after dental extractions, surgery and invasive procedures
how is haeophilia diagnosed?
- FBC
- aPTT – increase
- Prothrombin time – no change
how is haemophilia managed?
- antifibrinolytic agent
- supportive care
- factor concentrate
what is the pressure in the arterial system?
high
what is the pressure in the venous system?
low
what is the arterial clot made up of?
Platelet rich thrombus
what is the venous clot made up of?
Fibrin clot
what is the underlying mechanism of arterial thrombus?
atherosclerosis
what is the underlying mechanism of venous thrombus?
Virchow’s triad
what are the risk factors to venous thrombus?
Stasis – age, marked obesity, pregnancy, previous DVT/PE, trauma/surgery, malignancy, paralysis
Vessel Wall – age, previous DVT/PE
Hypercoagulability – age, pregnancy, puerperium, oestrogen therapy, trauma/surgery, malignancy, infection, thrombophilia
what is Virchow’s Triad?
STASIS, VESSEL WALL, HYPERCOAGULABILITY
where do venous thrombus commonly form?
valves of veins
what is the pathophysiology of venous thrombus formation at valves?
Stasis exacerbates hypoxia, activates of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) and early growth response 1 (EGR-1) = monocyte association with endothelial proteins, such as P-selectin, causes monocytes to release TF filled microvesicles, which initiate fibrin deposition
what are two common examples of venous thrombus?
PE and DVT
what is the pathophysiology of PE?
with infarction, pleural gets stuck on infarcted lung
what are the clinical features of PE?
chest pain: typically pleuritic, dyspnoea, haemoptysis, tachycardia, tachypnoea, CVS collapse/death, Hypoxia, RH strain
how are PE diagnosed?
Xray computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) D Dimers ECG VQ Scan Pulmonary angiography
what is a key feature of PE on xray?
wedge shaped ossification
what are the features of PE in ECG?
large S wave, large Q wave, inverted T wave, right bundle branch block, sinus tachycardia
how is PE managed?
LMWH
continued warfarin for 3 months
thrombolysis
what is the pathophysiology of DVT?
Blood can’t get back to heart, leaks out into leg
what are the clinical features of DVT?
pain, tenderness, swelling, warmth, redness or discolouration, distention of surface veins
how is DVT diagnosed?
clinical features
D-Dimer
Doppler Ultrasound
Contrast Venography
what is the management of DVT?
anticoagulation (LMWH)
Stockings
what are the common causes of arterial thrombus?
Hypertension
Smoking
High cholesterol
Diabetes
what is the management of arterial thrombus?
- Stop smoking
- Treat hypertension
- Treat diabetes
- Lower cholesterol
- Anti-platelet drugs
how do arterial thrombi form?
o Plaque ruptures
o Platelet adheres to it – exposed endothelium and release of Von Willebrand factor
o Platelets becomes activated - release granules that activate coagulation and recruit other platelets to developing platelet plug
o Platelet aggregation via membrane glycoproteins
what is the disease progression in arterial thrombus?
atherosclerosis - stable atherosclerotic plaque - unstable atherosclerotic plaque - acute thrombus - acute organ ischaemia and infarction