How I approach bleeding in hospitalized patients

Abstract

Excessive bleeding is relatively common in adult inpatients, whether as the primary reason for admission or as a development during the hospital stay. Common causes include structural issues, medication effects, and systemic illnesses; occasionally, unexpected bleeding can develop as a result of an undiagnosed or newly acquired bleeding disorder. The first step in caring for the inpatient who is bleeding is to determine whether the bleeding symptom is truly new or whether the patient has a history of abnormal bleeding. Patients with a history of abnormal bleeding may warrant evaluation for inherited bleeding disorders, such as platelet function disorders, von Willebrand disease, hemophilia, or rare factor deficiencies. Patients with no history of bleeding, for whom other causes, such as liver dysfunction, medication effect, disseminated intravascular coagulation, or certain vitamin deficiencies have been ruled out may require evaluation for acquired coagulopathies, such as acquired hemophilia or acquired von Willebrand disease. Here, we present 3 cases to discuss the diagnosis and management of the 2 most common acquired bleeding disorders as well as a patient with a congenital bleeding disorder with a historical diagnosis.

Graphical abstract

Figure 1.

Algorithm for evaluation of an adult inpatient with excessive or unexpected bleeding. The first step in evaluation is determining whether bleeding symptoms are new developments. The differential diagnosis is further narrowed, and diagnosis is ultimately made based upon the results of laboratory testing. Congenital disorders are designated in red, and acquired disorders in green. DOAC, direct oral anticoagulant; CBC, complete blood count.