Some Causes of Excessive Bleeding
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Cause |
Examples |
Platelet disorders |
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Decreased number of platelets |
Cirrhosis if the spleen is enlarged DIC if it progresses rapidly Drugs that can trigger destruction of platelets (including heparin, quinidine, quinine, sulfonamides, sulfonylureas, or rifampin) |
|
Increased number of platelets (which often causes excessive clotting but sometimes causes excessive bleeding) |
|
|
Inadequate platelet function |
Drugs that can cause platelets to malfunction (including aspirin or other NSAIDs) |
Clotting disorders |
|
|
Acquired |
Anticoagulants (drugs that inhibit clotting) including heparin, warfarin, or DOACs (including dabigatran, apixaban, edoxaban, and rivaroxaban) DIC if it progresses slowly |
|
Hereditary |
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Blood vessel disorders |
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Acquired |
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Hereditary |
Connective tissue disorders (such as Marfan syndrome) |
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DIC = disseminated intravascular coagulation; DOAC = direct oral anticoagulant; HIV = human immunodeficiency virus; NSAIDs = nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; vWF = von Willebrand factor. |
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