PBL Topic 2 Case 8 Flashcards
Identify the clinical features of a massive pulmonary embolism
- Severe central chest pain (cardiac ischaemia)
- Shock, pale, clammy, syncope
- Tachypnoeic, tachycardic, hypotension
- Gallop rhythm and widely split second heart sound
Explain how thrombin is removed from the blood
- Adsorbed by fibrin filaments
- Combines with antithrombin III which inactivates thrombin
- Heparin binds to antithrombin III, which removes Factors XII, XI, X and IX
Identify two other factors found in the cytoplasm of a platelet
- Growth factor
- Fibrin-stabilising factor
Why are immobilised patients more at risk of a deep leg vein thrombosis?
- Reduced calf muscle contraction
- Reduction in pressure
- Reduced venous return
- Increased risk of stagnation and hence DVT
How are platelets formed from megakaryocytes?
- Megakaryocytes fragment either in the bone marrow or soon after entering the blood
Outline type 2 von Willebrand’s disease
- Inherited autosomal dominant condition
- Partial qualitative abnormality of vWF
- Minor clinical features such as bleeding following minor trauma or surgery
Why is there vasoconstriction following trauma to a vessel?
- To reduces the blood flow through the damaged vessel
- To prevent blood loss
What is the diameter of a platelet?
- 1 - 4 uM
What is the role of the mitochondria in platelets?
- Formation of ATP and ADP
Why is warfarin not given in the later months of pregnancy?
- It can cause inter-cranial haemorrhages in the baby during delivery
Explain why aspirin potentiates the effects of warfarin
- Inhibition of platelet function
What is Prekallikrein also known as?
- Fletcher Factor
Outline the clinical features of immune thrombocytopenia purpura
- Mucosal bleeding
- Purpuric rash
- Skin bruising
- Menorrhagia in females
What is international normalised ratio?
- Used to determine prothrombin time
- Which measures the effect of warfarin
What is an embolism?
- Mass of material
- That is able to lodge in a vessel
- And block its lumen
What are thrombocytes?
- Platelets
What is heparin?
- Injectable Anticoagulant
Why is heparin not typically given subcutaneously?
- Delay of up to 60 minutes
What does a CXR show with a a massive pulmonary embolism?
- Oligaemia
- Dilation of pulmonary artery
Explain why cephalosporins potentiate the effects of warfarin
- Inhibit the reduction of Vitamin K
Outline the pathophysiology of a pulmonary embolism
- Va/Q = infinity
- Intrapulmonary dead space
- Reduced surfactant as a result of reduced perfusion
- Alveolar collapse
- Hypoxaemia
What is the normal Activated Partial Thromboplastin time?
- 26 - 37 seconds
Outline the pathophysiology of immune thrombocytopenia purpura
- Antibodies coat platelet
- Which binds to Fc receptors of macrophages
Where do the majority of venous thrombi lodge?
- Pulmonary circulation as a pulmonary embolism
Identify the main unwanted effect of warfarin
- Haemorrhage
What is the most common cause of embolism?
- Thrombus
Identify three treatments of immune thrombocytopenia purpura
- Corticosteroids as immunosuppressive therapy
- IgG infusion to block Fc receptors
- Splenectomy
Why are diuretics and vasodilators avoided in the treatment of pulmonary embolism?
- Patients are already hypotensive
- These will further reduce cardiac output
What does a CXR show in multiple recurrent pulmonary emboli
- Oligaemia
- Enlarged pulmonary arterioles
von Willebrand factor as a carrier protein for what molecule?
- Factor VIII
How are ventilation and perfusion assessed in Va/Q scanning
- Ventilation is assessed using radioactive xenon
- Perfusion is assessed by injection of micro-aggregates of 99mTc-albumin
What is Factor V also known as?
- Proaccelerin
OR
- AC-globulin
OR
- Labile Factor
What is the role of thrombomodulin?
- Prevents clotting in the normal vascular system:
- Binds to thrombin and slows the clotting process
- Activates protein C that inactivates Factor Va and Factor VIIIa
How is Prothrombin Time performed?
- Addition of tissue factor and calcium to patient’s plasma
What will ABGs show in pulmonary embolism?
- Normal or reduced PaO2 and PaCO2
- That becomes markedly abnormal (metabolic acidosis) in massive pulmonary emboli
Explain why co-trimoxazole potentiates the effects of warfarin
- Inhibition of hepatic drug metabolism
What occurs if emboli lodge in smaller peripheral vessels?
- Gangrene
Platelets are derived from which type of cell?
- Megakaryocyte
What is meant by individual empowerment?
- Giving people responsibility for their health
How do either of these pathways result in prothrombin activator formation?
- Cascade of clotting factors
What is Factor XI also known as?
- Plasma Thromboplastin Antecedent
OR
- Antihaemophilic Factor C
What is Factor XII also known as?
- Hageman Factor
What is the first-line diagnostic test for pulmonary embolism and why?
- CT pulmonary angiography
- Shows extent of emboli
- Highlights alternative diagnosis
What is the difference between theory of reasoned action and planned behaviour?
- Theory of planned behaviour includes behavioural control as an additional determinant of intentions and behaviour
Outline the developmental approach to theories of eating behaviour
- Exposure refers to neophobic responses that shapes view of food
- Social learning refers to food choices changes through watching others eat
- Associative learning refers to rewards for eating behaviour or food as a reward for other behaviour
Outline two functions of warfarin
- Oral Anticoagulant
- Vitamin K antagonist
Is joint bleeding a feature of a platelet defect (e.g. thrombocytopenia) or a coagulation defect (e.g. haemophilia)
- Coagulation defect (e.g. haemophilia)
What does Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time measure?
- Factors XII, XI, IX, VIII, X, V, prothrombin and fibrinogen
Outline the mechanism of action of heparin
- Activation of antithrombin III
- To inhibit thrombin, heparin must bind to AT3 and thrombin
- To inhibit factor Xa, heparin must bind to AT3 only
What is thrombocytopenia?
- Spontaneous bleeding
- When blood platelet count falls
Outline type 4 von Willebrand’s disease
- Autosomal recessive condition
- Complete deficiency of vWF
- Severe bleeding
How can females be affected by Haemophilia
- Lionisation towards the abnormal X chromosome
What is the normal Prothrombin time?
- 12 -16 seconds
Outline the cognitive approach to theories of eating behaviour
- Attitudes towards foods
- Perceived behavioural control
What is Factor VIII also known as?
- Antihaemophilic Factor
OR
- Antihaemophilic Globulin
OR
- Antihaemophilic Factor A
When is prothrombin formed?
- Following the rupture of a blood vessel
Explain why necrosis in soft tissues may occur in patients taking warfarin
- Thrombosis in venules
- Inhibition protein c synthesis
How is the platelet plug strengthened?
- Fibrin formation
- Between aggregating platelets
Why is warfarin not given in the first months of pregnancy?
- It is able to cross the placenta
- It is teratogenic
Outline the pathogenesis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura
- Reduction in ADAMTS-13,
- A protease that breaks down large vWF into smaller factors that can interact with platelets
- Aggregation of platelets to these large vWF
Outline the boundary model of overeating
- Dieters take longer to feel full
- Dieters set a boundary which limits what they can eat
- Dieters cross this boundary until they feel full
Why is genotyping necessary when administering warfarin
- VKORC1 gene is polymorphic
- Warfarin is metabolised by CYP2C9, a substate of P450 isoenzymes, which is also polymorphic
What is meant by social engineering?
- Ill health is influenced by poverty, lack of education and poor living conditions
- Objectives should be to improve these standards