The value of coagulation profiles in epistaxis management.

A prospective pilot study was conducted to investigate the role and relevance of clotting profiles in the management of epistaxis patients. Forty-eight per cent of the study patients had abnormal clotting profiles. Half of the abnormal clotting profiles could have been predicted from a routine history, but half could not. The coagulation screens on this group were repeated and 5% of the initial study group were found to have a persistent abnormality. The authors suggest that although coagulation screens will not predict the potential management problems associated with the epistaxis patient, they remain an important part of the clinical investigation. An epistaxis may be the only indication of an underlying coagulation disorder. The diagnosis of such a disorder following an epistaxis may lead to the treatment of an otherwise unknown condition and prevention of more serious sequelae.