Hereditary and acquired coagulation factor abnormalities. A primary care primer

The primary care physician is usually the first to see patients with acquired or previously undiagnosed hereditary coagulation factor disorders. In addition, although such patients are best referred to a comprehensive center with specialized personnel and equipment, the referring physician is often involved in the overall care of such patients. Thus, some basic knowledge of these rare and complex syndromes is necessary to enable recognition of a suspicious history or clinical findings and to permit an understanding of the principles of therapy.