Thrombocytopenia Flashcards
What are thrombocytes and where are they produced?
- Platelets
- Small cell fragments w/o nucleus
- Produced in BM
Avg lifespan of a platelet?
5-9 days
Where are reserve platelets stored?
Spleen
Where are old platelets destroyed?
Spleen
Normal platelet range
150-450,000
30,000 - 50,000 platelets may manifest as:
Purpura
10,000 - 30,000 platelets may cause:
Bleeding (w/minimal trauma)
Platelets less than 5,000 may cause:
Spontaneous bleeding
Define primary hemostasis
- Occurs instantly after a blood vessel endothelium injury
- Platelet plug is formed
Define secondary hemostasis
- Occurs simultaneously w/primary hemostasis
- Exposure to TF to Factor 7 and other clotting factors
- Fibrin strands to strengthen platelet plug
Define prothrombin time (PT) and what it tests
- Time to clot in presence of tissue thromboplastin
- Tests EXTRINSIC and common pathways (factors 5, 7, 10, prothrombin, fibrinogen)
Define partial thromboplastin time (PTT) and what it tests
- Time to clot in presence of kaolin (activates factor 12) and cephalin (substitute platelet phospholipid)
- Tests INTRINSIC and common pathways (factors 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, prothrombin, fibrinogen)
Define bleeding time and what it tests
- Time required to stop bleeding from a standardized skin puncture
- Tests primary hemostasis (platelet number and function)
General causes of thrombocytopenia
- Decreased production (not enough platelets made in BM)
- Increased destruction (breakdown of platelets in bloodstream, spleen or liver)
- Med induced
- Other
What conditions cause decreased production of platelets?
- Aplastic anemia
- Leukemia
- Cirrhosis
- Folate/B12 deficiency
- Infections of BM
- MDS
What conditions cause increased destruction of platelets?
- ITP
- TTP
- DIC
- HIT
Define idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
- Autoimmune
- Antibodies against several platelet surface antigens (present in 60% of cases)
- Results in destruction of platelets (thrombocytopenia)
Who is MC affected by ITP?
- Children (50% of cases)
- Adults are diagnosed 56-60 yo
- In adults, females MC
How do adults with ITP typically present?
With a chronic condition (idiopathic, lasts longer than 6 months)
How do children with ITP typically present?
With an acute condition (usually follows an infection, spontaneous resolution within 6 months)
Pathophys of ITP
IgG autoantibodies attack platelet membrane glycoproteins and megakaryocytes (precursor platelets)