Assessing the Role of Coagulation Assays in the Management of Bleeding Disorders: A Review of Laboratory Techniques and Clinical Implications

Abstract

Bleeding and clotting are typically seen as balanced systems that can easily be tipped towards excessive hemorrhage, inappropriate thrombosis, or both. Thrombosis, the pathological formation of clots, is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Hemorrhage, however, remains an even more significant cause of mortality, particularly in traumatic injury or in surgical settings. Injured individuals and those with underlying bleeding disorders or other comorbidities may have a decreased ability to form a stable clot. These individuals have an increased risk of developing secondary complications related to bleeding. Bleeding can also play a role in the development of anemia. Individuals with anemia may require transfusion, which can be inhibited if the anemia results from an ongoing bleeding complication.