Cardio - Haemostasis Flashcards
(98 cards)
What is Haemostasis?
cellular + biochemical processes that enables both the specific + regulated cessation of bleeding in response to vascular insult
What is haemostasis for?
→ prevention of blood loss from intact vessels
→ arrest bleeding form injured vessels
→ enable tissue repair
What are the 4 main stages of haemostasis?
→ vessel constriction
→ primary haemostasis
→ secondary haemostasis
→ fibrinolysis
What is primary haemostasis?
→ formation of unstable platelet plug
→ platelet adhesion
→ platelet aggregation
→ limits blood loss + provides surface for coagulation
What is vessel constriction?
→ first response to injury to endothelial cell lining
→ vascular smooth muscle contracts locally
→ limits blood flow to injured vessel
What is secondary haemostasis?
→ stabilisation of the plug with fibrin
→ blood coagulation
→ stops blood loss completely
What is fibrinolysis?
→ vessel repair + dissolution of clot
→ cell migration / proliferation + fibrinolysis
→ restores vessel integrity
Why is it important to understand bleeding mechanisms?
→ Diagnose and treat bleeding disorders
→ Control bleeding in individuals who do not have an underlying bleeding disorder
→ Identify risk factors for thrombosis
→ Treat thrombotic disorders
→ Monitor the drugs that are used to treat bleeding and thrombotic disorders
What is the necessary balance for normal haemostasis?
bleeding (fibrinolytic factors + anticoagulant proteins) = thrombosis (coagulant factors + platelets)
When is haemostasis tipped towards bleeding?
→ lack of a specific factor
→ defective function of a specific
Why would someone lack a specific factor that would cause them to bleed more than clot?
→ failure of production (congenital or acquired)
→ increased consumption / clearance of specific factor
Why would someone have a defective function of a specific factor that would cause them to bleed more than clot?
→ genetic
→ acquired : drugs, synthetic defect, inhibition
Summarise platelet adhesion.
→ damage to endothelium
→ platelets can adhere directly via GpIa receptors
→ platelets can adhere indirectly to VWF via GpIb receptors
Summarise platelet aggregation.
→ thromboxane release + granular content release = platelet activation
→ activates GpIIb/GpIIIa receptors
What is thrombocytopenia?
low numbers of platelets
What can cause thrombocytopenia?
→ bone marrow failure : leukaemia, B12 deficiency
→ accelerated clearance : immune (ITP), disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
→ pooling + destruction of spleen : splenomegaly
What is ITP?
immune thrombocytopenia purpura
What is the pathophysiology of ITP?
→ antiplatelet autoantibodies attach to sensitised platelets
→ sensitised platelets get consumed and cleared by macrophages
What can cause impaired function of platelets?
→ hereditary absence of glycoproteins or storage granules (rare)
→ acquired impaired function : aspirin, NSAIDs, clopidogrel
How does aspirin impair the function of platelets?
→ aspirin inhibits COX
→ COX is necessary for the production of Thromboxane A2 from Arachidonic acid
→ less thromboxane A2 is produced
→ less platelet aggregation occurs
How does clopidogrel impair the function of platelets?
→ irreversibly blocks the ADP receptor on platelets
→ prevents platelet aggregation
What is VWD?
Von Willebrand Disease
What are the causes of VWD?
→ hereditary decrease of quantity or function (common)
→ acquired due to antibody (rare)
What are the 2 main function of VWF?
→ binding to collagen + capturing platelets
→ stabilising Factor VIII (8)
