tutorial 4 - haemostasis

Question 1

What is the most likely cause of a thrombocytopenia in a patient with a history of petechial rash and flu?

Answer 1

Viral infection causing platelet consumption

Question 2

What is the likely cause of a concurrent prolonged APTT and platelet tests?

Answer 2

Von Willebrand Disease - poor platelet function and issues with Factor VIII (intrinsic pathway of coagulation cascade)

Question 3

What are the 4 types of von Willebrand disease?

Answer 3

Type 1 - reduced production
Type 2 - abnormal protein
Type 3 - no production
Type 4 - defective platelet vWF receptors

Question 4

What do the vWF antigen levels demonstrate?

Answer 4

Ability to produce vWF

Question 5

What is the most likely cause of deficiencies in all Factors, except Factor VIII?

Answer 5

Liver disease - unable to produce factors in the liver (FVIII is not made in the same way so levels are fine)