Normal Haemostasis, Inherited Bleeding Disorders and Surgery: What Does the Anaesthesiologist Need to Know?

TL;DR

This review explains how normal blood clotting works and how inherited bleeding disorders affect surgery, helping anesthesiologists manage these patients better.

Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive review of normal haemostasis and inherited bleeding disorders for anaesthesiologists, focusing on surgical management strategies.

Findings

Inherited bleeding disorders like haemophilia and von Willebrand disease increase surgical bleeding risks.

Understanding normal haemostasis is crucial for managing patients with these disorders perioperatively.

Current guidelines and literature are summarized to guide anaesthesiologists in assessing and mitigating bleeding risks.

Abstract

Haemostasis is a critical physiological process that ensures blood loss is minimised following vascular injury. Understanding the mechanisms of normal haemostasis is essential for managing patients with inherited bleeding disorders, particularly in the surgical setting. Inherited bleeding disorders, such as haemophilia and von Willebrand disease (vWD), pose unique challenges for anaesthesiologists and surgeons due to the increased risk of excessive bleeding during and after surgery. This state-of-the-art review outlines the essential knowledge for anaesthesiologists regarding normal haemostasis, the pathophysiology of inherited bleeding disorders, and the perioperative management strategies required for these patients. It draws on existing literature and current clinical guidelines to offer practical approaches for assessing and managing bleeding risks in surgical settings.

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