Thrombocytopenia

Question 1

Thrombocytopenia

Answer 1

• Too few platelets
• 40,000-80,000/mm3: risk for bleeding w/ mild trauma
• <20,000: risk for spontaneous bleed
• <5000/mm3: risk for fatal bleed in CNS or GI hemorrhage
• Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)

Question 2

Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) - Pathophysiology

Answer 2

• Autoimmune Disorder
• Pts make antibodies against own platelets; macrophages destroy
  > viral infections throught to trigger condition
  > most common in women 20-40

Question 3

Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) - Diagnosis

Answer 3

• Serial low platelets
• Bone marrow biopsy

Question 4

Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) - Treatment

Answer 4

• Immunosuppressive drugs
  > Prednisone
  > due to risk of infection
• Platelet transfusion
• Splenectomy
  > last resort; destroyed platelets are stored in spleen & could rupture