What indicates FXIII deficiency?

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Multiple Choice

What indicates FXIII deficiency?

FXIII’s job is to cross-link fibrin strands, stabilizing the clot. When FXIII is deficient, clots form but lack this cross-linking, so they’re unstable and prone to breakdown, leading to poor wound healing and bleeding that can recur after an initial stop. A classic lab clue is a fibrin clot that dissolves in 5 M urea, due to the absence of the cross-links FXIII normally creates. The treatment is FXIII concentrate replacement. Prolonged PT would point to issues in the extrinsic pathway, low platelets explain bleeding due to low platelet numbers, and elevated D-dimer is a general sign of fibrinolysis not specific for FXIII deficiency.

FXIII’s job is to cross-link fibrin strands, stabilizing the clot. When FXIII is deficient, clots form but lack this cross-linking, so they’re unstable and prone to breakdown, leading to poor wound healing and bleeding that can recur after an initial stop. A classic lab clue is a fibrin clot that dissolves in 5 M urea, due to the absence of the cross-links FXIII normally creates. The treatment is FXIII concentrate replacement. Prolonged PT would point to issues in the extrinsic pathway, low platelets explain bleeding due to low platelet numbers, and elevated D-dimer is a general sign of fibrinolysis not specific for FXIII deficiency.

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