Thrombotic Disorders

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Intro & Virchow's - Clotting 101

  • Thrombosis: Pathological intravascular clot (thrombus). Hemostasis: Physiological process (platelets, factors, endothelium) stopping blood loss.
  • Virchow's Triad (critical for thrombosis):
    • Endothelial Injury: Procoagulant switch (e.g., inflammation, trauma).
    • Abnormal Blood Flow: Stasis (e.g., DVT) or turbulence (e.g., aneurysms).
    • Hypercoagulability: ↑ procoagulants / ↓ anticoagulants (inherited/acquired).

      ⭐ Factor V Leiden: most common inherited thrombophilia (Activated Protein C resistance).

  • Coagulation Cascade:
    • Intrinsic (PTT) & Extrinsic (PT/INR) pathways converge.
    • Common pathway: Factor Xa → Thrombin (IIa) → Fibrin clot.
    • 📌 Vit. K-dependent factors: II, VII, IX, X; Proteins C & S.

Virchow's Triad: Predisposing Factors for DVT

Inherited Causes - Risky Genes

  • Key inherited hypercoagulable states predisposing to Venous Thromboembolism (VTE).
  • Most are autosomal dominant (AD) with variable penetrance.
  • Screening considered in VTE < 50 yrs, recurrent VTE, or strong family history.
ConditionGene (Mutation)MechanismKey Point(s)
Factor V LeidenF5 (G1691A; R506Q)Factor Va resistant to APC cleavageMost common; 📌 Leiden = Leading cause
Prothrombin Gene Mut.F2 (G20210A)↑ Prothrombin synthesis → ↑ thrombin generation2nd most common; ↑ VTE risk 2-3x
Protein C DeficiencyPROC1Impaired inactivation of FVa & FVIIIaWarfarin skin necrosis; Neonatal purpura fulminans
Protein S DeficiencyPROS1Impaired Protein C cofactor activityWarfarin skin necrosis; Similar to Protein C def.
Antithrombin Def.SERPINC1Reduced inactivation of thrombin (IIa) & FXaHeparin resistance; Highest thrombotic risk

Acquired Causes - Attack of Clots

  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS):
    • Autoantibodies: Lupus anticoagulant, Anti-cardiolipin, Anti-β2 GPI.
    • Clinical: Venous/arterial thrombosis, recurrent fetal loss.
    • Lab: Paradoxical ↑aPTT (Lupus Anticoagulant).
  • Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT Type II):
    • IgG to PF4-heparin complex → platelet activation → thrombosis & thrombocytopenia (↓platelets >50%).
    • Onset 5-10 days post-heparin. 📌 Heparin Induces Thrombosis & Thrombocytopenia.
  • Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC):
    • Systemic coagulation activation & consumptive coagulopathy. Causes: Sepsis, trauma, malignancy.
  • Malignancy:
    • Trousseau's syndrome (migratory thrombophlebitis). Tumor procoagulants.
  • Other Risk Factors:
    • Immobilization, surgery, OCPs/HRT, nephrotic syndrome, Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs), PNH.

⭐ Lupus anticoagulant (APS) paradoxically prolongs aPTT in vitro but causes in vivo thrombosis.

DVT/PE & Diagnosis - Clot Detectives

  • DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis):
    • Signs: Unilateral leg swelling, pain, warmth, erythema.
    • Risk: Virchow's Triad (📌 SHE: Stasis, Hypercoagulability, Endothelial injury).
    • Dx: Wells Score (PTP) → D-dimer (if low PTP) → Compression US (Gold Std).
  • PE (Pulmonary Embolism):
    • Signs: Sudden dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, cough, hemoptysis, tachycardia.
    • Dx: Wells/Geneva Score (PTP) → D-dimer (if low PTP) → CTPA (Gold Std). V/Q if CTPA C/I.
    • ECG: S1Q3T3 (classic, rare), sinus tachycardia. ABG: ↓PaO₂, ↓PaCO₂ (resp. alkalosis).

CTPA and gross specimen of pulmonary artery thrombi

⭐ For suspected PE, if Wells score ≤ 4 (PE unlikely) AND D-dimer is negative, PE can be safely excluded (often guided by PERC rule).

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Virchow's triad (endothelial injury, stasis, hypercoagulability) is fundamental to thrombosis.
  • Factor V Leiden (APC resistance) is the most common inherited thrombophilia.
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) causes thrombosis and pregnancy morbidity with characteristic autoantibodies.
  • TTP presents with a pentad (MAHA, thrombocytopenia) due to ADAMTS13 deficiency.
  • DIC: widespread microthrombi, consumption coagulopathy, bleeding; ↑D-dimer, ↓fibrinogen.
  • Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) paradoxically causes thrombosis via anti-PF4 antibodies.
  • Protein C or S deficiency increases risk of warfarin-induced skin necrosis.

Practice Questions: Thrombotic Disorders

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Etiology of disordered coagulation in antiphospholipid syndrome is

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Flashcards: Thrombotic Disorders

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Disorders of primary hemostasis are divided into _____ and quantitative disorders

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Disorders of primary hemostasis are divided into _____ and quantitative disorders

qualitative

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