Scientific article
OA Policy
English

Congenital structural and functional fibrinogen disorders: a primer for internists

Publication date2019
Abstract

Congenital qualitative and quantitative fibrinogen disorders represent heterogeneous rare abnormalities caused by mutations in one of 3 genes encoding individual fibrinogen polypeptide chains, located on chromosome 4q28. It is estimated that congenital fibrinogen disorder accounts for 8% of rare coagulation factor deficiencies. Most of congenital fibrinogen disorders are suspected in individuals with bleeding tendency or coincidentally discovered, for instance prior to surgery. Fibrinogen disorders could be also found in patients with thrombotic events, impaired wound healing and recurrent spontaneous abortions. Afibrinogenemia manifests as mild to severe bleeding, while hypofibrinogenemia is often asymptomatic. Dysfibrinogenemia, a qualitative fibrinogen disorders, is associated with bleeding, thrombosis, or both, as well as no symptoms. Recent recommendations issued by the ISTH in 2018 do not encourage routine evaluation of thrombin time or other coagulation tests in patients suspected of congenital fibrinogen disorders, highlighting the value of fibrinogen antigen measurement and genetic analysis, added to the key finding, i.e. reduced fibrinogen concentration determined with a coagulometric assay. The current review summarizes practical issues in diagnostic work-up and clinical management of patients with afibrinogenemia, hypofibrinogenemia, dysfibrinogenemia and hypodysfibrinogenemia from a perspective of internists who may encounter patients with reduced fibrinogen concentration in everyday practice. Despite the fact that hematologists are in front line for the management of patients with bleeding tendency, internists should be aware of the clinical and laboratory findings in patients with inherited fibrinogen disorders including the risk of thromboembolism and management prior to invasive procedures.

Citation (ISO format)
UNDAS, Anetta, CASINI, Alessandro. Congenital structural and functional fibrinogen disorders: a primer for internists. In: Polskie Archiwum Medycyny Wewnetrznej, 2019. doi: 10.20452/pamw.15082
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Article (Accepted version)
Identifiers
Journal ISSN0032-3772
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230downloads

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