What is coagulation?
Coagulation is the series of events that result in the formation of a blood clot. In the body, coagulation occurs after any injury to a blood vessel or tissue and acts to stop bleeding.
Coagulation involves the interaction of cells lining the injured blood vessel (endothelial cells), specialized blood cells called platelets form a plug in the region of the damaged blood vessel and circulating coagulation factors.
What are coagulation factors?
Coagulation factors are substances made in the liver that circulate in the blood stream. They become activated when blood vessel or tissue injury occurs, and in co-operation with platelets, produce a clot at the site of injury.
There are thirteen different coagulation factors. These factors are activated in a specific sequence, following two different pathways (intrinsic and extrinsic), and a final common pathway. In the body, there is interaction between the intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation pathways. In the laboratory, the activity of the coagulation factors making up these pathways is measured separately.
When are coagulation tests performed?
Coagulation tests may be undertaken for a variety of reasons. Some dog breeds are known to have a higher incidence of clotting factor deficiencies and with these breeds, coagulation tests may be used for screening purposes prior to diagnostic or surgical procedures.
If a pet experiences episodes of bleeding for an unknown reason, clotting function should be evaluated. Severe liver disease may lead to problems with blood clotting because the liver is the production site of coagulation factors.
Are there any screening tests that can be used in the veterinary clinic to evaluate coagulation?
Yes. The most commonly performed test is the evaluation of platelet numbers. Platelets are blood cells involved in the formation of platelet 'plugs' at the site of blood vessel injury. Platelets not only provide the initial patch at injured sites, they also form a framework that allows coagulation factors to accumulate at the injured site and subsequently form a more permanent fibrin clot.
Platelet numbers can be determined readily with a single blood sample. Platelets are usually evaluated as part of a routine complete blood count (CBC) that also evaluates the red and white blood cell components. A marked decrease in total platelet numbers (termed thrombocytopenia) may result in episodes of bleeding. There are many causes of thrombocytopenia, including immune-mediated disease, bone marrow disorders, and infectious causes.
While changes in the red and white blood cells on a CBC do not provide specific information about coagulation, they may alert your veterinarian to investigate further. A reduction in red cell numbers (anemia) may occur with bleeding due to a coagulation factor or platelet deficiency. Changes in the white blood cell numbers or types may indicate an underlying inflammatory condition that may be responsible for thrombocytopenia.
Because clotting factors are made in the liver, and many diseases can result in thrombocytopenia, a serum biochemistry panel that evaluates liver function may be helpful.
Buccal mucosal bleeding time (BMBT) is a test which can be performed in your veterinary clinic. It evaluates the ability of platelets to form a platelet plug. A spring-loaded cassette is used to produce a small, precise cut on the inside of the upper lip and the length of time required for bleeding to stop is measured. This time may be lengthened by a decreased platelet count or by decreased platelet function. The BMBT is usually reserved for patients that have normal platelet numbers but have questionable platelet function.
Activated clotting time (ACT) can also be performed in your veterinary clinic. To perform this test, a blood sample is added to a special ACT tube containing a substance (usually diatomaceous earth) that activates the coagulation. A severe decrease (less than 5% of normal activity) in these clotting factors or a severe decrease in platelet numbers will lead to an increase in the length of time it takes the blood to clot after it has been added to the ACT tube. The ACT is not very sensitive to milder decreases in clotting factors.
What specific tests are used to measure the activity of coagulation factors?
These more specific coagulation tests are sent to a veterinary reference laboratory and require a single blood sample.
Activated partial thromboplastin time (PTT) measures the functional activity of the coagulation factors involved in the intrinsic and common coagulation pathways. Because of the specific factors involved in the extrinsic coagulation pathways, an increase in PTT is often noted with conditions such as vitamin K deficiency and rodenticide (rat poison) toxicity.
Prothrombin time (PT) measures the functional activity of the coagulation factors involved in the extrinsic and common pathways. These parameters are measured by the amount of time it takes for a fibrin clot to form after calcium and different activating factors are added to a blood sample.
Thrombin time (TT) measures the functional activity of the common coagulation pathway, and more specifically of fibrinogen. The TT measures the amount of time it takes for a fibrin clot to form after calcium and thrombin (a coagulation factor) is added to a blood sample.
Since the TT is dependent upon both the normal function and the amount of fibrinogen, any condition that decreases the amount of fibrinogen, or makes it unable to function properly will cause an increase in TT. This could include hereditary deficiencies in the functional activity of fibrinogen and increased use/consumption of fibrinogen in the body because of excessive blood coagulation (clotting). Excessive coagulation can occur due to several conditions including shock, severe infections, and tumors.
Von Willebrand's factor testing at a veterinary reference laboratory involves the evaluation of a blood sample for the presence of von Willebrand's factor, a protein that assists in the adherence or stickiness of platelets to sites of blood vessel injury. Von Willebrand's factor also helps to stabilize one of the coagulation factors (Factor VIII) in circulation so the factor is not lost prematurely. Von Willebrand's disease is one of the most common hereditary bleeding disorders of dogs, affecting over 50 breeds and resulting in variable deficiencies of this factor. Doberman Pinschers are one of the most affected breeds due to a single genetic defect.
In addition to von Willebrand's factor testing, can the individual coagulation factors be evaluated?
Yes. Specific coagulation factor analysis is not commonly done, but is typically used to evaluate the most common inherited deficiencies, namely von Willebrand's factor, factor VIII deficiency (hemophilia A), and factor IX deficiency (hemophilia B). It is available in specialized veterinary or hematological laboratories.
Which of the tests described above is used first?
Coagulation testing is not usually done by itself. Typically, a CBC and a biochemical profile are first evaluated. Then a coagulation panel is performed, consisting of a combination of PT, PTT, and possibly von Willebrand's factor testing.
The combination of results from these coagulation tests will indicate what part of the coagulation pathway is affected. Once these results have been assessed, the need for additional testing can be determined.
Are there tests that evaluate the body’s ability to inhibit or counteract coagulation?
Yes. There is a delicate balance between coagulation of blood and the dissolution or breakdown of blood clots. If such a system were not in place, widespread clotting could occur instead of clots forming only at the site of injury, to the detriment of the animal.
Antithrombin III is one of the most commonly measured clot inhibitors. While measurement of this protein requires only a single blood sample, antithrombin III determination is performed only at specialized laboratories. Antithrombin III measurement is usually undertaken if a pet is at risk of increased coagulability (increased chance of clot formation). Increased coagulation of blood due to loss of antithrombin III may be a complicating factor of many diseases including cancer, severe inflammation, Cushing's disease, and kidney disease.
