Coagulation Disorders Overview

Conditions affecting the body's ability to clot blood, often due to issues with platelets or clotting factors.

A condition affecting blood clotting ability.

Autoimmune disorder decreasing platelet lifespan due to antibodies, leading to bleeding.

Coagulopathy causing platelet clumping, reduced circulation, and inappropriate clotting, increasing risk of organ damage.

An immune-mediated clotting disorder caused by heparin treatment, resulting in low platelet count.

Life-threatening condition with simultaneous clotting and bleeding due to microclots.

Inherited bleeding disorder caused by a deficiency in clotting factors VIII or IX, often triggered by minor trauma.

5% for adults with ITP.

Conditions that increase the likelihood of developing Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP).

Other medical conditions that can contribute to ITP, often by affecting the immune system or platelet function.

Conditions that increase the chances of developing Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT).

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) is often a consequence of other autoimmune disorders.

TTP leads to platelet clumps, reduced circulation, and inappropriate clotting, increasing the risk of organ damage.

Unusual spontaneous bleeding from the gums and nose (epistaxis) is a sign of a potential clotting disorder. This can indicate a lack of platelets or clotting factors, making it difficult for the body to form clots.

Tiny red or purple spots (petechiae) and larger bruises (ecchymoses) appearing on the skin, especially on the extremities, upper chest, and neck, can signify a problem with platelet function. This means the body is having trouble forming blood clots to stop bleeding.

Blood in the urine (hematuria) can also be a sign of a clotting disorder, particularly if it appears without a clear cause. The presence of blood in the urine suggests that clotting isn't happening properly in the kidneys or the urinary tract.

Excessive bleeding from common procedures like venipuncture or injections, or even minor traumas, can indicate a clotting disorder. This implies that the body isn't forming clots efficiently to stop the bleeding.

Organ failure can occur due to tiny clots (microemboli) blocking blood flow to vital organs. These clots can be a result of widespread clotting disorders, affecting the entire body and preventing proper circulation.

Decreased hemoglobin levels are a sign of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC). This is because DIC causes widespread clotting, consuming clotting factors and platelets, leading to anemia.

Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) is a key feature of Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP). The immune system mistakenly attacks platelets, causing their destruction and leading to bleeding.

Prolonged prothrombin time (PT) indicates a clotting disorder like DIC. This is because DIC consumes clotting factors which are essential for clot formation, making the blood take longer to clot.

Increased PTT implies a clotting disorder like DIC. DIC involves the activation of the intrinsic clotting pathway, which the PTT measures. This leads to prolonged coagulation time.

Elevated D-dimer is a strong indicator of DIC. It is a fragment of fibrin, the protein that forms blood clots. DIC produces many microclots, leading to high D-dimer levels.

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) is often triggered by an underlying condition, such as sepsis, malignancy, or hemorrhage. Addressing this primary cause is crucial for successful treatment.

DIC can damage organs by forming small blood clots (microemboli) that obstruct blood flow. This can lead to organ dysfunction or failure.

Regularly assess vital signs, hemodynamics, and lab values to monitor for DIC complications. Watch for signs of organ failure, intracranial bleeding, and clotting factor deficiencies.

Treatment for DIC typically involves fluid replacement, blood transfusions (including platelets and clotting factors), and managing complications from blood product administration.

Protect the patient from injuries to minimize bleeding risks, especially in the presence of DIC.

ITP is treated with corticosteroids and immunosuppressants to suppress the immune system's attack on platelets.

TTP is treated with antiplatelet medications to prevent further platelet clumping and immunosuppressants to reduce complications.

HIT is treated with anticoagulants that are direct thrombin inhibitors, like argatroban, lepirudin, or bivalirudin, to prevent further clotting.

DIC is treated with anticoagulants like heparin to reduce microclot formation and conserve clotting factors.

The main goal of DIC treatment is to decrease microclot formation and conserve clotting factors by using anticoagulants like heparin.

A procedure used to remove antibodies and other harmful substances from the blood, particularly for patients with Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP).

Surgical removal of the spleen, an organ that filters blood and can sometimes contribute to the destruction of platelets in patients with Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP).

A rare and serious blood disorder that occurs when small blood clots form in the tiny blood vessels throughout the body, leading to a decrease in the number of platelets and potentially causing organ damage.

An autoimmune disorder where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys platelets, leading to a low platelet count and increased risk of bleeding.

Splenectomy for ITP is considered when medical management, such as medications, fails to control the platelet count and bleeding, or when the disease is severe and doesn't respond to treatment.