hematologic complications of hepatocellular failure

Pathology

• decreased synthesis of all procoagulant factors
• congestive splenomegaly resulting in thrombocytopenia
• qualitative platelet defect resulting in a bleeding time prolonged more than expected from degree of thrombocytopenia
• dysfibrinogenemia causing a prolonged bleeding time
• pathologic fibrinolysis secondary to failure to clear tissue plasminogen activator
• decreased plasminogen activator inhibitor & alpha-2 plasmin inhibitor levels may also occur
• disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) may complicate infections or peritoneal-venous shunts

More general terms

• complication