Thrombocytopenia PDF

Preface

Thrombocytopenia is one of the most common hematologic problems encountered by physicians in any specialty. From the asymptomatic outpatient with mild thrombocytopenia to the bleeding, severely thrombocytopenic postoperative patient in the surgical intensive care unit (ICU), a myriad of disorders can cause a low platelet count. While many of these cause thrombocytopenia by accelerating the destruction or clearance of platelets in the peripheral blood, some are associated with decreased platelet production.

Thrombocytopenia attempts to provide a broad, but detailed overview of the syndromes associated with a low platelet count. Though most of the chapters are clinically focused, each also discusses relevant pathophysiology that enhances the reader's insight into current and emerging management strategies. Two chapters also provide an overview of the process of platelet production, with particular emphasis on the role of thrombopoietin and specific transcription factors required for normal megakaryocyte development. A timely discussion of emerging thrombopoietin analogs that will influence the management of thrombocytopenic states in years to come is also presented.

All contributors to this book are internationally recognized for their expertise in the diagnosis and management of platelet disorders.

For clarity, this book is divided into two major sections, the first of which reviews megakaryocyte biology and platelet production, as well as the congenital thrombocytopenias and miscellaneous thrombocytopenias resulting from marrow dysfunction and diminished platelet production. The second section reviews causes of thrombocytopenia resulting from enhanced peripheral platelet destruction, and reviews disorders such as immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and the hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), heparin/induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), and pregnancy-associated thrombocytopenia. An important chapter on the appropriate use and potential complications of platelet transfusion is also included.

The breadth of this book should make it a useful reference for physicians from a variety of specialties, including adult and pediatric hematology-oncology, transfusion medicine, internal medicine and general pediatrics, and obstetrics. This book will also be of value to trainees in these areas, as well as medical students.