The coagulogram is a set of tests that may be ordered by the doctor or dentist to evaluate changes in blood coagulation. It consists of three main tests: prothrombin time, which evaluates the blood's ability to clot; activated partial thromboplastin time, which measures the intrinsic pathway of coagulation; and platelet count, which evaluates the plateletsquantitatively.

Thus, these tests are very important in the pre-operative period of medium and large surgeries when the patient has a history of sudden bleeding or of diseases that alter coagulation. They are also generally requested when a patient is bitten by an animal or insect that has a toxin that alters hemostasis (coagulation).

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How does blood clotting work?

Normal blood clotting is a complex process. Blood cells and different blood proteins together heal damaged blood vessels and control bleeding. Coagulopathies - bleeding disorders that usually determine blood clotting - occur mainly when clotting factors are lost or damaged, or when the number andPlatelet function is altered.

According to information from the Hematology and Hemotherapy Center of Ceará (Hemoce), of the Health Secretariat of the State of Ceará, the causes of problems related to blood coagulation can be linked to several conditions, which include:

• Hereditary factors;
• Cancer, including cancer of the small intestine, esophagus, and uterus;
• Myeloproliferative disorders;
• Use of contraceptives or tamoxifen;
• Surgeries;
• Other cancer-related diseases, such as leukemia and lupus.

What is the coagulogram for?

According to Dr. Perla Vicari, a hematologist at the Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual de São Paulo, the coagulogram is a screening test, capable of assessing a patient's bleeding risks, which is why it is commonly requested before surgery, "It can also be used in the initial investigation of spontaneous bleeding or to control some types of anticoagulant medication."explains the expert.

In addition, the coagulogram can detect several diseases, such as coagulation factor deficiency and liver diseases or platelet production diseases, such as purpura - a disease characterized by the appearance of red or purple spots on the skin.elucidate the diagnosis", says Dr. Perla.

According to the interviewed doctor, the coagulogram can also identify some types of leukemia, but she stresses that this test is not enough to conclude the diagnosis: "Other immunological diseases, which end up having anemia in the clinical picture, for example, can also affect the platelets, but we cannot say that the coagulogram determines this diagnosis. Therefore, forto recognize leukemia or anemia, it would be necessary to include other tests in the investigation", clarifies the professional.

Source: Dr. Perla Vicari, hematologist at Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual de São Paulo.

References: Centro de Hematologia e Hemoterapia do Ceará (Hemoce/Secretaria da Saúde do Ceará) and Ong Oncoguia.