Review and consideration of coagulopathies.
Blood components bring nutrients to the tissues, remove wastes, provide defenses against microorganisms and foreign bodies, and retain sufficient fluidity to keep the system functioning properly. Coagulation factors are also present in the blood as part of a sensitive system that stems the flow of blood from a wound and maintains homeostasis. These factors include anuclear platelets that originate from megakaryocytes in the bone marrow, as well as soluble factors in precursor form, and calcium ion. Faults in single or multiple parts of this system, which can be determined in the patient's history, may result in bleeding problems that may be clinically relevant. Clarification of coagulation defects requires cooperation with a hematologist before medication that affects the coagulation system is prescribed or before any procedures that may result in bleeding are undertaken.
Department of Hematology/Oncology, Metropolitan Hospital Center, New York, New York, USA.
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Levin
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Potter
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Shah
D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D006487:Hemostasis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D014842:von Willebrand Diseases / Q000150:complications