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Causes of increased and decreased bleeding time
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
The reference values for the duration of bleeding according to Duke are 2-3 minutes. Bleeding time characterizes the elasticity of blood vessels and their ability to contract during trauma, as well as the state of the platelet system (ability to adhesion and aggregation). Prolongation of bleeding time is of practical importance. It reflects a violation of primary hemostasis due to thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopathy, vascular wall damage, or a combination of these factors.
Diseases and conditions that may alter bleeding time
| Increased clotting time | Shortening of clotting time |
Thrombopenic purpura Athrombopenic purpura Sorrow Phosphorus poisoning Hemorrhagic diathesis Leukemia Splenomegaly cirrhosis of the liver Long-term use of certain medications (acetylsalicylic acid) Bleeding with hypofibrinogenemia Vascular defects with underdevelopment of precapillary contraction (microangiopathy) DIC syndrome |
More often it is a consequence of a technical error during the test or indicates an increased spastic capacity of the capillaries |
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