Clinical Case Studies: Coagulation, Edema, and Hematology
Snake Venom and Coagulation Inhibition
You are a general physiotherapist in the north of the country. A man arrives at your office after being bitten by a poisonous snake. The poison control center informs you that the animal's venom binds irreversibly to prothrombinase, inactivating it, and lowers plasma vitamin K levels. Based on this information, describe the clinical aspects expected in this patient.
Response: The venom blocks the coagulation cascade by inhibiting prothrombinase. Consequently, prothrombin is not activated into thrombin, preventing the conversion of fibrinogen into fibrin.
Starling Forces and Tissue Edema
a) Factors in Microcirculation
Mention the factors considered by Starling for fluid movement in the microcirculation.