Coagulation Disorders

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Hemostasis Basics - Cascade Craze

  • Primary Hemostasis: Forms temporary platelet plug.
    • Vascular Spasm: Immediate vasoconstriction.
    • Platelet Phase:
      • Adhesion: vWF links platelets (GpIb) to subendothelial collagen.
      • Activation: Platelets release ADP, TXA₂, $Ca^{2+}$; GpIIb/IIIa activated.
      • Aggregation: Fibrinogen links platelets via GpIIb/IIIa.
  • Secondary Hemostasis: Forms stable fibrin clot.
    • Coagulation Cascade: Sequential activation of zymogens.
-   📌 Vit K-dependent: Factors **II, VII, IX, X**; Proteins C & S. (Mnemonic: "2+7=9, then 10; C & S too!").
-   **Regulation:** Antithrombin (inhibits IIa, Xa, IXa, XIa), Protein C & S (degrade Va, VIIIa), TFPI (inhibits TF-VIIa, Xa).

Overview of Hemostasis

⭐ Thrombin (IIa): key enzyme; converts fibrinogen to fibrin, activates V, VIII, XI, XIII, platelets; also activates Protein C (via thrombomodulin) for anticoagulation.

Primary Hemostasis Disorders - Platelet Predicaments

Disorders of platelet plug formation; present with mucocutaneous bleeding.

  • Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP): Autoimmune (anti-GpIIb/IIIa) vs platelets. ↓Plt, ↑megakaryocytes. Rx: Steroids, IVIG.
  • Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP): ↓ADAMTS13 activity. Pentad. Schistocytes. Rx: Plasma exchange.
  • Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS): Shiga toxin (E.coli O157:H7). Triad (MAHA, ↓Plt, AKI). Schistocytes. Rx: Supportive.
  • Glanzmann Thrombasthenia: Defect GpIIb/IIIa. Impaired aggregation to all agonists except ristocetin.
  • Bernard-Soulier Syndrome: Defect GpIb. Giant platelets. Impaired ristocetin-induced aggregation. 📌 Bernard-Soulier = Big Suckers (Giant Platelets, GpIb defect).
  • von Willebrand Disease (vWD): Commonest inherited. ↓vWF quantity/quality. Types 1 (partial quant), 2 (qual), 3 (total). Dx: ↓Ristocetin cofactor activity, ↓vWF:Ag.
DisorderPlt CountSmearSpecific Test(s)Rx Highlight
ITP↓↓↓Megathromb.Anti-Plt AbSteroids, IVIG
TTP↓↓↓Schistocytes↓ADAMTS13Plasma Exch.
HUS↓↓SchistocytesShiga toxinSupportive
vWDN or ↓NormalvWF:Ag, Ristocetin Cof.DDAVP, vWF

![Image placeholder: Blood smear findings in platelet disorders: schistocytes (TTP/HUS) and giant platelet (Bernard-Soulier)]

Secondary Hemostasis Disorders - Factor Fumbles

  • Inherited Disorders:
    • Hemophilia A (FVIII↓), Hemophilia B (FIX↓): X-linked recessive. Clinical: Hemarthrosis, deep muscle hematomas, prolonged bleeding. Labs: ↑aPTT; Normal PT, BT, Platelet count. Tx: Factor concentrates; Desmopressin (DDAVP) for mild Hemophilia A.
      FeatureHemophilia AHemophilia B (Christmas)
      DeficiencyFactor VIIIFactor IX
      Mnemonic 📌A-EightB-Nine
  • Acquired Disorders:
    • DIC (Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation): Common causes: Sepsis/Trauma. Patho: Systemic coagulation activation → consumption of factors/platelets & microthrombi formation. Labs: ↑PT, ↑aPTT, ↑TT, ↑D-dimer; ↓Platelets, ↓Fibrinogen; Schistocytes on smear.
-   **Liver Disease Coagulopathy:** ↓Synthesis of factors (II, VII, IX, X). Labs: ↑PT (most sensitive, earliest change), variable ↑aPTT.
-   **Vitamin K Deficiency:** ↓Factors II, VII, IX, X, Protein C & S. Causes: Malnutrition, malabsorption, antibiotics. Labs: ↑PT, then ↑aPTT. Tx: Vitamin K.
-   **Anticoagulant-induced:**
    -   Warfarin: ↓Vit K-dependent factors. Monitor INR (↑PT). Reverse: Vit K, PCC.
    -   Heparin (UFH): Potentiates Antithrombin III. Monitor aPTT. Reverse: Protamine sulfate.
    -   DOACs: Direct Factor Xa or thrombin inhibitors. Variable lab effects. Specific reversal agents available.

Coagulation cascade: Vitamin K & warfarin

⭐ PT is the first test abnormal in early liver disease or Vit K deficiency due to Factor VII's short half-life.

Coagulation Lab Tests - Clot Clues

  • PT/INR: Extrinsic (FVII) & common (FX, FV, FII, Fibrinogen) pathway. Monitors Warfarin.
  • aPTT: Intrinsic (FXII, FXI, FIX, FVIII) & common pathway. Monitors Heparin.
  • Thrombin Time (TT): Final fibrin formation. Sensitive to heparin, dysfibrinogenemia.
  • Fibrinogen Assay: Quantitative. ↓ in DIC, liver disease.
  • D-dimer: Fibrin degradation product. ↑ in DIC, VTE.
  • Platelet Count: Quantitative. Bleeding Time (BT) for function (obsolete).
  • Mixing Studies: Differentiate deficiency (corrects) vs. inhibitor (no correction).

    ⭐ Lupus anticoagulant: ↑aPTT, no correction with mixing, paradoxical thrombosis risk.

  • Factor Assays: Pinpoint specific factor deficiencies (e.g., FVIII).

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Hemophilia A (FVIII def.) & B (FIX def.): X-linked recessive, hemarthrosis, ↑aPTT.
  • vWD: Most common inherited bleeding disorder (AD), ↑BT, often ↑aPTT. Ristocetin test confirms.
  • Vitamin K deficiency: Affects II, VII, IX, X, C, S. ↑PT & ↑aPTT.
  • DIC: Clotting & bleeding. ↑PT/aPTT/BT, ↓platelets, ↑D-dimer, ↓fibrinogen.
  • ITP: Isolated thrombocytopenia. Normal PT/aPTT. Often post-viral.
  • TTP Pentad: Fever, thrombocytopenia, MAHA, renal, neuro. ADAMTS13 deficiency.

Practice Questions: Coagulation Disorders

Test your understanding with these related questions

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) differs from thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. In this reference, DIC is most likely characterized by:

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Flashcards: Coagulation Disorders

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von Willebrand disease associated with decreased affinity of vWF to factor VIII is Type 2_____.

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

von Willebrand disease associated with decreased affinity of vWF to factor VIII is Type 2_____.

N

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