Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 17, 2025

Microfluidics in Assessing Platelet Function
06:47

Microfluidics in Assessing Platelet Function

Published on: November 8, 2024

1.0K

Assessment of haemostatic function in paediatric surgical patients: 'if you prick us, do we not bleed?'

Kenichi Tanaka1, Alberto J de Armendi1

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.

British Journal of Anaesthesia
|December 18, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Infants have higher procoagulant factor levels but normal bleeding risk. New viscoelastic testing reveals altered clotting patterns in young infants, impacting perioperative care.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Hematology
  • Hemostasis and Thrombosis
  • Clinical Coagulation Testing

Background:

  • Infants possess approximately 50% of adult procoagulant factor levels without increased bleeding risk.
  • Routine preoperative clotting tests like prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time in children have controversial clinical utility.
  • Viscoelastic coagulation testing is gaining traction for guiding perioperative hemostatic interventions.

Discussion:

  • This editorial examines findings from a pediatric reference range study using the ClotPro® whole blood viscoelastic coagulation system.
  • It explores the altered clotting patterns observed in younger infants and the underlying mechanisms of coagulation.
  • Potential clinical implications of these findings for pediatric patient management are discussed.

Key Insights:

  • Younger infants exhibit distinct coagulation patterns on viscoelastic testing devices.
  • Understanding these patterns is crucial for accurate interpretation of hemostasis in pediatric populations.
  • The ClotPro® system provides new insights into infant coagulation physiology.

Outlook:

  • Further research is needed to establish definitive pediatric reference ranges for viscoelastic tests.
  • These findings may refine perioperative hemostatic management strategies in infants and children.
  • Clinical adoption of advanced viscoelastic testing could improve patient outcomes.

Keywords:
coagulationhaemostasispaediatric reference rangeperioperative bleedingthromboelastometryviscoelastic testing

More Related Videos

Application of Hemostatic Devices in Laparoscopic Hepatectomy04:23

Application of Hemostatic Devices in Laparoscopic Hepatectomy

Published on: April 19, 2022

2.3K
Description of a Swine Infant Model of Volume-Controlled Hemorrhagic Shock09:09

Description of a Swine Infant Model of Volume-Controlled Hemorrhagic Shock

Published on: November 3, 2023

1.1K

Related Concept Videos

Introduction to Hemostasis01:05

Introduction to Hemostasis

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,...
8.5K
Disorders of Hemostasis01:24

Disorders of Hemostasis

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.
1.0K
Extrinsic and Intrinsic Pathways of Hemostasis01:20

Extrinsic and Intrinsic Pathways of Hemostasis

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...
8.7K
Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management01:30

Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management

Nursing management begins with a thorough assessment of the patient's health history. Key factors include trauma to veins, peripherally inserted central catheters, varicose veins, recent pregnancy or childbirth, surgery, bacteremia, prolonged bed rest, atrial fibrillation, COPD, heart failure, cancer, coagulation disorders, myocardial infarction, spinal cord injury, stroke, prolonged travel, recent bone fractures, and dehydration. Review medication intake, particularly oral contraceptives,...
19
Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins01:30

Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins

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...
827
Formation of the Platelet Plug01:22

Formation of the Platelet Plug

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...
6.8K