Aside from the New Orleans Saints winning Super Bowl XLIV, not much happened over the week-end, so here’s a mini-lesson. Contrary to the general rule of thumb that derangements involving clotting factors at “higher” levels in the clotting cascade cause a greater effect on coagulation, a deficiency in Factor XII (Hageman factor) does not result in hemorrhage or increased risk of hemorrahge. This zymogen activates to the serine protease Factor XIIa and is responsible for activating Factor XI and prekallikrein in the intrinsic coagulation pathway.
Filed under: Clinical Pathology Tagged: coagulation
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Sign in nowI already knew this. I learned this in medical school in our second year. I’m pretty sure it was on the USMLE Step 1. But, I’m glad you learned that today.
Bottom line: never ever trust an on-call intern….Amen!
I can dig it.
Please don’t also forget to restick the patient just in case it is a mechanical issue with the stick.
Excellent point, Doctor.