HAEMOSTASIS AND THROMBOSIS Flashcards
What is primary and secondary haemostasis?
Primary: formation of unstable platelet plug (platelet adhesion and aggregation)
Secondary: Stabilisation of the plug with fibrin (blood coagulation)
What are the mechanisms of haemostasis in order?
Vessel constriction - limits blood flow
Primary haemostasis- limits blood loss + provides surface for coagulation
Secondary haemostasis - stops blood loss
Fibrinolysis - restores vessel integrity
How can the balance of haemostasis be tipped towards bleeding?
Increased fibrinolytic factors, anticoagulant proteins
Decreased coagulant factors, platelets
Could be lacking a coagulant factor due to failure of production or increased consumption/clearing
Could be defective function of a factor
Describe the process primary haemostasis
Platelet binding to VWF on endothelial cells with GPIb
Or
Direct platelet adhesion with GPIa to the collagen
This causes release of ADP, thromboxane and granular contents of platelet activating the platelets
This activates/flipflops the GPIIb/IIIa receptor which binds the platelet to fibrinogen
The fibrinogen links up multiple platelets forming the plug
What are the causes of disorder of primary haemostasis ?
Problem with platelets
Problem with VWF
Problem with vessel wall
What could cause problems with platelets?
Thrombocytopenia:
- Bone marrow failure e.g. leukaemia, B12 def
- Accelerated clearance e.g. auto ITP
- Pooling and destruction in splenomegaly
Impaired function:
- Hereditary absence of glycoproteins or storage granules
- Acquired due to drugs e.g. aspirin, NSAIDs
What occurs in auto-immune thrombocytopenia Purpura (auto-ITP)?
Antiplatelet autoantibodies bind to sensitised platelet which is then phagocytoses my macrophages
Name 3 hereditary platelet defects and occurs
Glanzmann’s thromboasthenia - lack of GPIIa
Bernard Soulier syndrome - lack of GPIIb
Storage pool disease - problem with platelet granules
When is anti-platelet therapy used?
To prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease
How does aspirin work?
Irreversibly blocks cycle-oxygenase (COX) preventing downstream production of thromboxane A2 and thus platelet aggregation.
Downstream prostacyclin also inhibited but it is also made by endothelial cells so its ok
Effects ~7 days until most platelets been replaced
How does clopidogrel work?
Irreversibly blocks ADP receptor on platelets preventing platelet activation
What could cause problems with VWF?
Von Willebrand disease
- Hereditary decrease of quantity + function
- Acquired due to antibody (rare)
What are the functions of VWF in haemostasis?
Binding to collagen and capturing platelets
Stabilising factor VIII (coagulating)
- low VWF may cause low factor VIII
In type 1 and 3 VWD what is the effect on VWF?
Deficiency of VWF
In type 2 VWD what is the effect on VWF?
VWF with abnormal function
What could cause problems with the vessel wall?
Hereditary haemorrhage telangiectasia Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and other connective tissue disorders
Acquired:
- Steroid therapy (atrophy of collagen)
- Ageing (senile purpura) (atrophy of collagen)
- Vasculitis
- Scurvy (Vit C def causing defective collagen synthesis)
Describe how a fault primary haemostasis bleeding typically looks
Immediate Prolonged bleeding from cuts Nose blees > 20 min Gum bleeding prolonged Menorrhagia Bruising (ecchymosis) Prolonged bleeding after trauma/surgery
What is the difference between petechiae, Purpura and ecchymosis?
All caused by bleeding under skin
Petechiae < 3mm
Purpura 3-10mm
Eccymosis (bruise) > 10mm
Purpura doesn’t blanch when pressure is applied
What are some tests you can carry out for primary haemostasis disorders?
Platelet count, platelet morphology
Bleeding time/PFA100 in lab (platelet function analysis)
Assays of VWF
Clinical observation
What would the results of a coagulation screen (prothrombin time, APTT) be in individuals with primary haemostasis disorders?
Normal except for more severe VWD cases where factor VIII is low
At what platelet count does severe spontaneous bleeding occur?
< 10 x 10^9/L
At what platelet count is spontaneous bleeding common?
< 40 x 10^9/L
At what platelet count does no spontaneous bleeding occur, but bleeding with trauma occur?
< 100 x 10^9/L
What is the normal range of platelet count?
100 x 10^9/L to 400 x 10^9/L
What are the treatments for failure of production/function in primary haemostasis?
Replace missing factor/platelets (prophylactic/therapeutic)
Stop drugs e.g. aspirin/NSAIDs
What are the treatments for destruction by immune system in primary haemostasis?
Immunosuppression e.g. prednisolone (steroids)
Splenectomy for ITP
What are the treatments for increased consumption in primary haemostasis?
Treat cause of abnormal coagulation
Replaces as necessary
What are some additional treatments for abnormal haemostasis?
- Desmopressin (vasopressin analogue, releases endogenous stores of VWF so only useful in mild disorders)
- Tranexamic acid (antifibrinolytic)
- Fibrin glue/spray (during surgery)
- Other approaches e.g. hormonal for menorrhagia