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Blood or Organ Donation: The Patient on Anticoagulants or with Thrombophillia
A patient may ask: “I am on warfarin – can I donate blood?” Your answer: “No”. A person on an anticoagulant will not be accepted as a blood donor
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Blood or Organ Donation: Being on Blood Thinners or Having a Thrombophilia
“I am on warfarin (Coumadin®). Can I donate blood?” No. A person on a blood thinner (anticoagulant), like warfarin, will not be accepted as a blood donor
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Pregnancy Loss and Clotting Disorders
How common is pregnancy loss? What are the causes? Pregnancy loss (= miscarriage) in the general population is common. Most losses occur in the first trimester. As many as 5 % of women have 2 or more early losses; 1-2 % have 3 or more early losses [ref 1]. Well established risk factors for pregnancy…
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Family Member Testing for Thrombophilia
Background If a thrombophilia (clotting disorder) has been identified in a patient with blood clots (venous thromboembolism = VTE), the question arises whether other family members should be tested for the same thrombophilia. My Clinical Approach My approach in clinical practice to thrombophilia testing in family members is summarized in table 1: Testing of Family Members.
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Thrombophilia Testing – Who Should be Tested?
Background and Consensus Guidelines No general consensus exists as to which patients with blood clots and which family members should be tested for thrombophilias. At least five guidelines or consensus statements exist (ref 1-5). They vary markedly in their recommendations as to who should be tested and who not,
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Unexplained Arterial Clots – Causes, Thrombophilia Testing
Background, anatomy Arteries are the blood vessels that lead blood away from the heart into the periphery, i.e. to the extremities, the brain, the abdominal and pelvic organs. They deliver oxygen to organs and muscles. Veins lead the blood back to the heart, from where it flows into the lung to take up fresh oxygen.…
