hematology and oncology
Overview of Vascular Bleeding Disorders
Introduction
Bleeding may result from abnormalities in Overview of Platelet Disorders None Overview of Coagulation Disorders None Blood vessels Vascular bleeding disorders result from defects in blood vessels, typically causing cutaneous or mucosal lesions called petechiae, purpura, and ecchymoses depending on their size but, except for Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia , seldom leading to serious blood loss. Small lesions (< 2 mm) are termed petechiae, and larger lesions are termed purpura if they are > 2 mm and <10 mm or ecchymoses if > 10 mm. Bleeding may result from deficiencies of vascular and perivascular collagen in Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes and in other rare hereditary connective tissue disorders (eg, Hemorrhage may be a prominent feature of Vitamin C Deficiency or of In vascular bleeding disorders, results of Laboratory Tests of Hemostasis by Phase are usually normal. For most disorders, diagnosis is clinical; specific tests are available for some (eg, immunoglobulins in specific dysproteinemias). Treatment focuses on controlling the bleeding when possible and providing supportive care. Some patients require blood transfusions. Many patients require iron therapy to replace iron lost due to repeated mucosal bleeding (see Treatment ). 