Heghine Khachatryan: Dementia at the Intersection of Hematology and Hemostasis
Heghine Khachatryan, Editor-in-Chief of Hemostasis Today, Head of Hemophilia and Thrombosis Center at Yeolyan Hematology and Oncology Center, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Dementia: At the Intersection of Hematology and Hemostasis
Emerging evidence increasingly supports that cognitive impairment is often multifactorial, with significant contributions not only from metabolic abnormalities, but also from hemostatic dysregulation.
In the diagnostic approach to dementia, the concept of reversible causes must be expanded to include thrombotic–hemostatic mechanisms and microcirculatory dysfunction.
Why Hemostasis Matters in Cognitive Decline
Cerebral function is highly sensitive to:
- Microthrombosis
- Endothelial dysfunction
- Chronic hypoperfusion
- Inflammation-driven vascular injury
These processes contribute to vascular cognitive impairment, often under-recognized within the broader dementia spectrum.
Hemostatic Red Flags
- Unexplained thrombosis
- Recurrent stroke / TIA
- Silent cerebral infarcts
- Elevated D-dimer / fibrinogen
- Antiphospholipid antibodies
- Cytopenias or macrocytosis
Key Hemostatic Contributors
- Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)
- Hypercoagulable states
- Hyperviscosity syndromes (WM, myeloma)
- Malignancy-associated microthrombosis
- Endothelial dysfunction
What to Include in Workup
- Coagulation profile
- D-dimer
- APS panel
- Thrombophilia testing (selected cases)
- Serum viscosity / SPEP
Take-Home Message
Dementia is not always purely neurodegenerative.
In selected cases, it may reflect microthrombotic and hemostatic pathology – potentially modifiable if identified early.
Call to Action
Hematologists should be actively involved in the multidisciplinary evaluation of cognitive disorders.
Because sometimes, the origin of cognitive decline lies in the hemostatic system. ”
Stay updated with Hemostasis Today.
-
Aug 21, 2026, 21:58Toby Richards: WEHI Trial Solidifies IV Iron as Third-Trimester Standard
-
Aug 21, 2026, 21:51Mehak Trehan: From Reading the Chapter to Writing One
-
Aug 21, 2026, 21:38Ann Reilly: Navigating Postoperative vs. Acute Blood Loss Anemia – A CDI Case Study
-
Aug 21, 2026, 21:29Merlin Crossley: Atomic Precision in Sickle Cell Care – Structural Targeting for Fetal Globin Reactivation
-
Aug 21, 2026, 19:09Aphisit Thongthaisin: Admitted to Sorbonne University’s T2H University Diploma for 2026/2027
-
Aug 21, 2026, 19:07José Luis Ferreiro Gutiérrez: Proud to Be Elected Chairperson-Elect of the ESC Working Group on Thrombosis
-
Aug 21, 2026, 19:00Manuel Monreal: New RIETE Registry Data on VTE Recurrence and Bleeding During Anticoagulation
-
Aug 21, 2026, 18:39Ronak H. Mistry: Updated ASH ITP Guidelines Bring New Guidance for Managing ITP
-
Aug 21, 2026, 18:22Ahmed Bennis: NOAC Use Is Associated With Slower Cognitive Decline in AF and Alzheimer’s Disease