A 72-year-old woman with a coagulopathy and bilateral thigh masses

Article Abstract:

A 72-year-old woman with swelling and bruising of both legs and soft-tissue masses in both thighs was diagnosed with acquired anti-factor VIII antibody. Blood factor VIII plays an essential role in forming blood clots. Initially, she was diagnosed and treated for thrombophlebitis, but bleeding continued and large masses developed in her right thigh and shoulder. An analysis of the patient's blood clotting ability indicated a probable defect in blood factors VIII, IX or XI, with a factor VIII deficiency most likely. The rarity in women of factor VIII deficiency, also known as classic hemophilia, the sudden onset and marked bleeding all suggest her disorder was acquired. The patient tested negative for a lupus-type inhibitor, indicating she had acquired an antibody specific to factor VIII. An assay for factor VIII confirmed this diagnosis, and the patient recovered following immunosuppressive treatment.

Physiological aspects, Blood clotting disorders, Blood coagulation disorders, Blood coagulation factor VIII, Factor VIII (Blood coagulation)

---

Platelets and coronary artery disease

Article Abstract:

The management of heart disease may profit from advances in drug therapy and genetic research. Although aspirin is now standard therapy for preventing heart attacks or related complications, it fails to prevent the collapse of stented vessels. The new drug ticlopidine blocks platelet activation in response to thrombin and other potential clotting agents. According to a 1996 study, patients taking ticlopidine after an initial course of heparin had fewer episodes of thrombosis in the stented vessels than those patients taking standard anticoagulants. However, ticlopidine is very expensive and produces serious side effects, compared to aspirin. Another 1996 study explored the link between coronary artery disease and genetic evidence by confirming a specific allele frequency of an amino acid among 50% of middle-aged patients with heart attacks or unstable angina. Other gene mutations may also be involved.

Health aspects, Editorial, Patient outcomes, Mortality, Prevention, Coronary heart disease, Genetic aspects, Blood platelets, Cardiac patients, Thrombosis, Platelet activation, Ticlopidine

---

A 70-year-old woman with atrial fibrillation and the rapid onset of hemorrhagic manifestations

Article Abstract:

A 70-year-old woman died from a cerebral hemorrhage caused by quinidine-induced thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia is a drop in the number of blood cells called platelets that can cause an increased risk of bleeding. The woman was being treated with quinidine for atrial fibrillation. She was admitted to a hospital with the signs of a stroke, and many small hemorrhages were noted on her skin. A CT scan revealed a cerebral hemorrhage and swelling of the brain. Her blood platelet count was extremely low. She eventually died and an autopsy of her brain revealed extensive bleeding in many areas, suggesting that she developed a severe bleeding disorder due to her low platelet count. Analysis of blood samples revealed that her body had formed antibodies against her platelets, and this process was stimulated by adding quinidine to the blood samples.

Complications and side effects, Brain, Brain hemorrhage, Thrombocytopenia, Quinidine

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Poliomyelitis - new problems with an old disease. A 32-year-old man with the sudden onset of a right-sided headache and left hemiplegia and hemianesthesia
• Abstracts: Progressive pulmonary air-space disease in a 71-year-old man with emphysema. A 35-year-old man with dilated cardiomyopathy, repeated ventricular tachycardia, and pulmonary lesions
• Abstracts: Major under taking: funeral workers often lack information on dealing with the bodies of people who have died from specific infections
• Abstracts: "He practically lives with me"; a look at the downside of casual cohabitation. Revealing your sexual past: where's the line between necessary disclosure and a license to blab?
• Abstracts: Profits prompt review of FDA orphan drug program. Physician on the congressional stump: continuing concern with 'deterioration' of health system ignites Ohio endocrinologist's race

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.