In the last two posts, I discussed how factor V works and how Protein C controls its activity. In this post, I will look at the difference between Factor V and Factor V Leiden. What is Factor V Leiden? Factor V Leiden is an alternative form of Factor V caused by a small mutation in the factor V gene. First, I will take you through some basic genetics to help you … [Read more...]
Halloween – Clotting, Vampires and Dracula
Happy Halloween - I posted this a few years ago. However, as Halloween comes around every year, it is good to be reminded that coagulation has a more exciting side linked to vampires, werewolves and Dracula. Dracula Vampires, Dracula teeth and bats have become synonymous with the decorations for Halloween. However, the story behind Dracula and vampires is … [Read more...]
COVID, Clots and Shots
Welcome Back It has been more than 3 years since I posted on this blog and a lot has changed in the field of clotting since then. The most significant difference is that COVID has come along and caused all sorts of clotting issues. So I thought now was the time to look at some of these, especially as it seems like we may have to deal with COVID in New Zealand. I plan to … [Read more...]
Clotting: the Swiss connection
Swiss precision This week I am on my way to the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostatsis meeting in Berlin. This is a great opportunity to catch up with all the latest developments and research in the field of blood clotting. As a stopover, Angela and I spent a couple of days in Zurich in Switzerland; what a beautiful city. I thought there must be some link … [Read more...]
Clot detectives
I attended the Haematology Society of Australia and New Zealand regional meeting in Auckland last week. Professor Barbara Bain, a highly regarded International expert from London was one of the invited speakers. She gave a really interesting talk on "Haematologists as Detectives". She highlighted some of the cases of poisoning and accidental drug errors that were picked up by … [Read more...]
Clots in Pregnancy – Diagnosis
Deep vein thrombosis The diagnosis of a DVT in pregnancy is made using similar methods to those used in women who are not pregnant, but the d-dimer test is not so reliable. The d-dimer measures the breakdown products of blood clot. It is used to exclude a blood clot so people with a low level have a low risk of a blood clot. However the baseline level of the d-dimer in the … [Read more...]
Christmas food and warfarin
This time of year there is a tendency for us all to eat a little more than usual. For most people their main concern is putting on a bit more weight, but if you take warfarin you have the added concern of how will it affect my INR. When I lived in the UK and supervised an anticoagulant clinic, Christmas was always a difficult time. For some people their INR control went all … [Read more...]
Clots and Presidential Politics
Today is election day in the United States and soon we will know who will be the next President. The lead up to this election has been more intense than previous campaigns and at times has become rather bitter and aggressive with both sides bringing up issues from the past. All sorts of things contribute to politics, but many of you may not be aware that in the 1970s, around … [Read more...]
Why you should dress in red and blue tomorrow
Tomorrow is World Thrombosis Day and is our chance to educate friends and family about deadly blood clots. We suggest you dress in red and blue hoping to catch people's attention, then when they comment about your clothes, you can talk about blood clots, both red (stroke and heart attack) and blue (DVT and pulmonary embolus). Paul does this every year, but as his clothes … [Read more...]
Frivolous Friday – Why don’t Polar bears get blood clots?
This week Angela and I are staying in Rovaniemi in North Finland on the Arctic Circle. Our hotel is beautiful with an arctic theme. Our bathroom has a large picture of a Polar bear in the shower and a small polar bear lying on our bed. Today we visited the Arktikum Museum which focuses on the ecology of the arctic, and I learnt some interesting things about the Polar … [Read more...]
