Disorders of Platelets, Hemostasis, and Coagulation

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and definitions related to disorders of platelets, hemostasis, and coagulation, aiding in understanding and memorization of critical concepts.

Hemostasis

The process of stopping bleeding.

Primary hemostasis

Involves platelet aggregation.

Secondary hemostasis

Involves fibrin formation to produce a clot.

Thrombocytopenia

Condition of having less than 100,000 platelets per microliter of blood.

Thrombocytosis

Condition of having greater than 750,000 platelets per microliter of blood.

Fibrinogenesis

The formation of fibrin in the clotting process.

Thrombus

A blood clot that forms in the vascular system.

Vasoconstriction

The constriction of blood vessels to reduce blood flow.

Clot dissolution

The process known as fibrinolysis, which breaks down clots.

Thromboxane A2

A substance released by platelets that promotes platelet aggregation.

Von Willebrand factor

A blood glycoprotein involved in hemostasis, helping platelets to stick to the blood vessel wall.

Coagulation cascade

A series of events in which clotting factors activate each other to form a blood clot.

D-dimer

A fibrin degradation product present in the blood after a blood clot dissolves.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

A blood clot that forms in a deep vein, typically in the legs.

Virchow's triad

Three factors that increase the risk of thrombosis: venous stasis, vascular damage, and hypercoagulability.

Clopidogrel

A prescription antiplatelet medication used to prevent clots.

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)

A treatment used for immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)

A condition involving kidney failure, hemolytic anemia, and thrombocytopenia.

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)

A disorder of coagulation that results in excessive clotting and bleeding.

Pulmonary embolism (PE)

A blockage in the lungs' blood vessels typically caused by a clot that traveled from another region of the body.

Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)

A condition where the veins struggle to send blood from the legs back to the heart.

Varicose veins

Abnormally dilated superficial veins commonly found in the legs.

Sclerotherapy

A treatment method for varicose veins involving the injection of a substance into the vein.

Thrombocytopenia causes

Can include drugs, autoimmune disorders, alcohol abuse, and bone marrow suppression.

Antiplatelet therapy

Treatment aimed at preventing blood clots by inhibiting platelet aggregation.

Anticoagulant therapy

Treatment involving drugs that help prevent blood clotting.

Vitamin K antagonists

Medications like warfarin that interfere with vitamin K-dependent clotting factors.