Week 2 - Haemostasis and protein metabolism/disorders Flashcards
What is Haemophilia?
hereditary bleeding disorders caused by lack of clotting factors
What is Haemophilia A?
most common type (83%)
due to a deficiency of factor VIII
What is Haemophilia B?
results from a deficiency of factor IX
What is Haemophilia C?
mild type
caused by a deficiency of factor XI
How is Haemophilia treated?
blood transfusions
injection of missing factors
What does Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) test?
Disorders associated with intrinsic pathway
Monitor heparin therapy
What does Prothrombin time test?
Disorders associated with extrinsic pathway
monitor oral anticoagulant therapy with warfarin, hepatic disease, vitamin K malabsorption
What does Plasma thrombin time test?
Measures time for a fibrin clot to form when thrombin is added to plasma
Measures availability of fibrinogen
Acute leukaemia, lymphoma or poor nutrition
What does Plasma fibrinogen test?
Measures fibrinogen levels
May be decreased in certain congenital deficiencies
What are the main features of healthy blood vessel?
- a functional endothelium
- does not initiate or support platelet adhesion or blood coagulation
- endothelium produces NO and PGI2 to inhibit platelet adhesion and promote vasodilation
What is DVT?
- decreased flow rate of the blood,
- damage to the blood vessel wall and
- an increased tendency of the blood to clot (hypercoagulability)
How is DVT assessed biochemically?
Blood D-dimer levels are elevated due to increased fibrin turnover
