Hemostasis Flashcards
What is the function of primary hemostasis?
To form a weak platelet plug
What is the function of secondary hemostasis?
To stabilize the weak platelet plug formed by primary hemostasis
What is the first step in primary hemostasis?
Transient vasoconstriction of the damaged blood vessel
In primary hemostasis, what are the 2 mechanisms by which the initial vasoconstriction of the damaged blood vessel occurs?
(1) Reflex neural stimulation(2) Endothelin release from damaged endothelial cells
What is the second step in primary hemostasis?
Platelet adhesion to the surface of the damaged blood vessel
In primary hemostasis, what is the mechanism by which platelets adhere to the surface of the damaged blood vessel?
Damaged endothelial cells release von Willebrand factor (vWF) from Weibel-Paladie bodies, which binds the exposed subendothelial collagen. Platelets then bind vWF using their Gp1b receptor.
Which platelet receptor binds vWF?
Gp1b
Which 2 cell types are responsible for vWF synthesis?
Endothelial cells synthesize vWF in Weibel-Palade bodies.Megakaryocytes synthesize vWF in the bone marrow. vWF is present in α-granules of platelets.
Endothelial cell Weibel-Palade bodies contain what 2 products?
vWF and P-selectin
What is the third step in primary hemostasis?
Platelet degranulation
In primary hemostasis, what is the mechanism by which platelets degranulate?
Platelet adhesion to the damaged blood vessel induces a conformational change that mediates degranulation of multiple mediators.
What are the 2 products stored in platelet dense granules?
ADP and Ca2+
What are the 4 products stored in platelet α-granules?
vWF, fibrinogen, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and platelet factor 4 (PF4)PDGF - Stimulates smooth muscle hyperplasia, important in pathogenesis of atherosclerosisPF4 - Heparin-neutralizing factor
What is the mechanism by which platelets synthesize TXA2?
Platelet cyclooxygenase (COX) synthesizes PGH2. Thromboxane A2 synthase then converts PGH2 into TXA2.
In primary hemostasis, what is the function of ADP degranulation by platelets?
ADP released from dense granules binds to platelet P2Y12 ADP receptors, which promotes expression of a functional Gp2b/a3 receptor on platelet surface.
In primary hemostasis, what are the 2 functions of TXA2?
TXA2 vasoconstricts the damaged blood vessel and promotes platelet aggregation by enhancing Gp2b/3a receptor binding to fibrinogen.
What is the mechanism of action of aspirin in platelets?
Aspirin irreversibly inhibits platelet COX. Platelets regain function 48 hours after stopping aspirin.
What is the mechanism of action of NSAIDs in platelets?
NSAIDs reversibly inhibit platelet COX. Platelets regain function 12-24 hours after stopping NSAIDs.
What is the fourth step in primary hemostasis?
Platelet aggregation
In primary hemostasis, what is the mechanism by which platelets aggregate at the site of blood vessel injury?
Platelets bound to vWF at the site of blood vessel damage bind fibrinogen at their Gp2b/3a receptors. Fibrinogen serves as a linking molecule, aggregating platelets together to form a platelet plug.
What platelet receptor binds fibrinogen?
Gp2b/3a
Disorders of primary hemostasis present with symptoms of which 2 clinical findings?
Mucosal bleeding - Epistaxis, hemoptysis, GI bleeding, hematuria, and menorrhagia Skin bleeding - Petechiae, purpura, and ecchymoses
Petechiae are pinpoint areas of hemorrhage in the subcutaneous tissue that develop when RBCs lead through what aspect of the blood vessel?
Post-capillary venular gaps in the blood vessel endothelium
In disorders of primary hemostasis, what is the mechanism by which thrombocytopenia mediates the development of petechiae?
Platelets stabilize the vascular endothelial-cadherin complex at the intracellular adherens junctions, particularly in the post-capillary venules, thereby preventing RBCs from leaking into the interstitium.If platelet counts fall below critical levels, these adherens junctions disassemble, and RBCs extravasate into the interstitium.
What is the most common overall symptom in patients with disorders of primary hemostasis?
Epistaxis
Platelet factor 4 (PF4) in platelet α-granules provides what function?
Heparin-neutralizing factor
Platelet factor 3 (PF3) on the cell surface of platelets provides what function?
Phospholipid substrate required for the clotting sequence
What is the mechanism by which idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) causes thrombocytopenia?
Autoimmune production of IgG antibodies directed against platelet Gp2b/3a receptors (type II HSR). Ab-coated platelets are consumed by splenic macrophages.
In ITP, ___ produce IgG antibodies against platelet Gp2b/3a, and ___ consume these antibody-coated platelets.
In ITP, SPLENIC PLASMA CELLS produce IgG antibodies against platelet Gp2b/3a, and SPLENIC MACROPHAGES consume these antibody-coated platelets.
Acute ITP presents in what patient population?
Children - Usually in response to viral infection or immunization/vaccination.
Chronic ITP presents in what patient population?
Women - Usually in those of childbearing age.
What is the mechanism by which chronic ITP in a pregnant female may cause short-lived thrombocytopenia in the offspring?
IgG antibodies against platelet antigens cross the placenta. Thrombocytopenia is short-lived because maternal-derived IgG is eventually degraded.
ITP:Platelet count?Bleeding time?PT/PTT?Bone marrow biopsy?
ThrombocytopeniaIncreased bleeding timeNormal PT/PTTIncreased megakaryocytes on BM biopsy
What are the treatment options for ITP?
Corticosteroids - Children usually respond well. IVIGSplenectomy
What is the mechanism by which IVIG treats ITP?
IVIG (IgG) blocks the macrophage Fc receptors –> Inhibits binding of macrophage Fc receptor to the IgG autoantibodies, thereby preventing phagocytosis and destruction of the Ab-coated platelets.
What is the mechanism by which splenectomy treats ITP?
Splenectomy eliminates the primary source of the autoantibody (splenic plasma cells) and the cells responsible for autoantibody-coated platelet destruction (splenic macrophages)
What is the mechanism by which thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) causes thrombocytopenia?
Platelets are consumed in the formation of platelet microthrombi in small blood vessels
What is the mechanism by which TTP and HUS causes hemolytic anemia?
RBCs are “sheared” as they cross the platelet microthrombi in small blood vessels, resulting in microangiopathic hemolytic anemia with schistocytes (“helmet cells”)
What is the genetic deficiency in TTP, and how does this mediate disease?
ADAMTS13 deficiencyADAMTS13 is a vWF metalloproteinase that cleaves vWF multimers into monomers, which are then degraded. ADAMTS13 deficiency inhibits this process, thereby leading to the accumulation of large, uncleaved vWF multimers that result in abnormal platelet adhesion, resulting in the formation of platelet microthrombi.ADAMTS13 deficiency is typically secondary to an acquired autoantibody against the vWF metalloproteinase.
What is the classic infectious trigger for HUS, and what are the 2 mechanisms by which this infection causes HUS?
E. coli O157:H7 E. dysenteryE. coli verotoxin (1) damages endothelial cells, exposing subendothelial collagen and causing platelet microthrombi and (2) decreases/inhibits ADAMTS13