Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 18, 2025
04:56
Author Spotlight: Deciphering Coagulation Disorders in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients
Published on: August 4, 2023
1.1K
Structural characterization of a clinically described heparin-like substance in plasma causing bleeding
Yanlei Yu1, Karen Bruzdoski2, Vadim Kostousov2
1Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180, USA.
Carbohydrate Polymers
|June 16, 2020
Summary
This study isolated unusual heparan sulfate (HS) in a pediatric liver transplant patient with bleeding complications. The HS showed low anticoagulant activity, potentially impacting platelet function.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Hematology
- Pediatric Medicine
Background:
- Heparin-like substances (HLS) are linked to liver disease, infection, transplant, and metastasis.
- Initial assessment indicated coagulopathy due to liver disease, but not HLS.
Observation:
- A 10-year-old liver failure patient developed bleeding post-transplant, with HLS suspected.
- Clinical samples revealed high plasma concentrations of a unique heparan sulfate (HS).
Findings:
- The isolated HS exhibited properties intermediate between heparin and standard HS.
- This unique HS demonstrated low antithrombin-mediated anticoagulant activity.
Implications:
- The unusual HS may have contributed to bleeding complications by affecting platelet function.
- Potential underlying endothelial defects, not detected by current methods, could also be implicated.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins
1.4K
Hemostasis is a crucial process that prevents excessive blood loss from damaged blood vessels. It involves various mechanisms such as vasoconstriction, platelet adhesion and activation, and fibrin formation. The importance of each mechanism depends on the type of vessel injury. In contrast, thrombosis is the abnormal formation of a blood clot within the blood vessels, leading to potential complications if the clot obstructs blood flow. Thrombosis can be caused by increased coagulability of the...
1.4K
01:05Introduction to Hemostasis
12.5K
Hemostasis is a complex physiological process that prevents excessive bleeding when a blood vessel is injured. It's crucial for maintaining the integrity of the circulatory system, as it ensures that our blood remains fluid while still within the vascular network and yet clots to prevent blood loss upon vessel injury.
The three phases of hemostasis involve many clotting factors present in plasma and several substances released by platelets and injured tissue cells. It is a fast, localized,...
The three phases of hemostasis involve many clotting factors present in plasma and several substances released by platelets and injured tissue cells. It is a fast, localized,...
12.5K
01:24Disorders of Hemostasis
1.8K
Hemostasis, the process that stops bleeding after a blood vessel injury, is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the circulatory system. However, disorders of hemostasis can disrupt this delicate balance, leading to either excessive clotting or bleeding. These disorders can be broadly classified into thromboembolic disorders and bleeding disorders.
Thromboembolic Disorders
Two factors primarily cause thromboembolic conditions.
Thromboembolic Disorders
Two factors primarily cause thromboembolic conditions.
1.8K
01:20Extrinsic and Intrinsic Pathways of Hemostasis
11.3K
Blood clotting or coagulation involves extrinsic and intrinsic pathways, which ultimately merge into the common pathway, forming a fibrin clot.
The Extrinsic Pathway
The extrinsic pathway of coagulation is typically initiated by tissue damage that exposes blood to tissue factor (TF), a protein released by the damaged tissue cells outside the blood vessels—this interaction with TF triggers biochemical reactions involving specific clotting factors. The key player here is Factor VII, which...
The Extrinsic Pathway
The extrinsic pathway of coagulation is typically initiated by tissue damage that exposes blood to tissue factor (TF), a protein released by the damaged tissue cells outside the blood vessels—this interaction with TF triggers biochemical reactions involving specific clotting factors. The key player here is Factor VII, which...
11.3K
01:22Formation of the Platelet Plug
8.4K
The platelet phase, the second stage of hemostasis, commences around 15-20 seconds after an injury. It follows and overlaps with the vascular phase, during which blood vessels constrict to minimize blood loss.
As the injured blood vessel contracts, endothelial cells undergo contraction, revealing collagen fibers in the basement membrane and underlying connective tissue. Furthermore, the plasma membrane of endothelial cells becomes adhesive, preparing the site for platelet adhesion. Platelets...
As the injured blood vessel contracts, endothelial cells undergo contraction, revealing collagen fibers in the basement membrane and underlying connective tissue. Furthermore, the plasma membrane of endothelial cells becomes adhesive, preparing the site for platelet adhesion. Platelets...
8.4K
01:09Coagulation
9.3K
The coagulation phase is a critical part of the body's process to prevent blood loss following injury to blood vessels. It involves chemical reactions that form a clot to seal the injured area. The clotting process begins shortly after injury, within 15-20 seconds for severe damage and 1-2 minutes for minor injuries.
During the coagulation phase, clotting factors, or procoagulants, play a vital role in initiating and progressing the coagulation cascade. This cascade is a series of reactions...
During the coagulation phase, clotting factors, or procoagulants, play a vital role in initiating and progressing the coagulation cascade. This cascade is a series of reactions...
9.3K