Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia - Vascular causes of bleeding

Vascular causes of bleeding

Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia

Definition

Rare autosomal dominant vascular disorder resulting in telangiectasia and recurrent bleeding.

Clinical features

Dilation of small arteries and capillaries result in characteristic small red spots that blanch on pressure (telangiectasia) in the skin and mucous membranes particularly the nose and gastrointestinal tract. Patients suffer from recurrent epistaxis and chronic gastrointestinal bleeds.

Complications

Patients are prone to chronic iron deficiency anaemia.