Glossary
Inhibitor: An inhibitor is a type of antibody; the function of antibodies
in the body is to try to destroy substances they do not recognize. An inhibitor
of a clotting factor prevents it from supporting normal blood clotting, and inactivates
replacement clotting factor.
Immune Tolerance: A state of unresponsiveness to a specific antigen or group
of antigens to which a person is normally responsive. Immune tolerance is achieved
under conditions that suppress the immune reaction and is not just the absence of
a immune response.
Antigen: A substance that is capable of causing the production
of an antibody
Antibody: An immunoglobulin, a specialized immune protein,
produced in response to the introduction of an antigen into the body, and which possesses
the remarkable ability to combine with the very antigen that triggered its production.
Port: A port-a-cath, or implantable venous access device (IVAD),
is implanted under the skin, usually in the upper chest; there are models which
can be inserted into the arm. A port-a-cath has a small metal reservoir with a rubber
diaphragm, connected to a catheter, which is then threaded into a large vein in the chest
or arm. The entire device is surgically implanted under the skin, so there is no part
of it that hangs out of the body. The device provides ready access to a vein for
administering medications and fluids intravenously. It can also be used for drawing
blood samples.
Prophylaxis: Prophylaxis is the regular use of clotting factor
concentrates to prevent bleeds before they start. For more information please review the
FAQ section.