The bleeding patient

Abstract

Part one of this chapter tells you about the physiology of blood and oxygen supply, about anaemia and tissue hypoxia, and the physiology of coagulation. Drugs that interfere with clotting are discussed. Bleeding, coagulation, and platelet disorders are covered as well as disseminated intravascular coagulation. Part two is concerned with bleeding in the recovery room: how to cope with rapid blood loss, managing ongoing blood loss, and how to use clotting profiles to guide treatment. There is also a section covering blood transfusion, blood groups and typing. Massive blood transfusion is clearly described, there are guidelines about when to use fresh frozen plasma, when to use platelets, and when to use cryoprecipitate. The final section of the chapter is about problems with blood transfusions.