6.0 Vascular Disease Flashcards
Define anaemia:
↓ RBC number (usually measured as ↓ Hb conc. in blood)<br></br>↓ oxygen capacity of the blood
What is the lifespan of RBCs?
120 days
Structure of haemoglobin:
<b>Tetramer</b><br></br>2 pairs of polypeptides (each with haem group)
What Hb chains are present in fetal Hb?
α2γ2
What Hb chains are present in adult Hb (major form)?
α2β2
What Hb chains are present in adult Hb (minor form)?
α2δ2
Clinical consequences of anaemia:
<b>1) Ectodermal changes</b><br></br>- Thin skin + nails<br></br>- Pale mucosa<br></br><br></br><b>2) Hypoxic damage in viscera</b><br></br>- Angina, malaise, fatigue, dim vision, faintness<br></br><br></br><b>3) Compensatory changes</b><br></br>- ↑ HR + CO<br></br>- ↑ Breathing rate<br></br>- Hyperplasia of haemopoietic tissue in bone marrow
Why do the cells increase in size in megaloblastic anaemia?
Cause of this anaemia is impaired DNA synthesis<br></br>This means the cell does not divide but RNA and protein synthesis continue → ↑ size
What changes are seen in megaloblastic anaemia?
<b>1. Ineffective haemopoiesis</b><br></br>- ↓ RBC, granulocytes and platelets (pancytopenia)<br></br><b>2. Expansion of haemopoietic tissue</b><br></br><b>3. RBC precursors enlarged (megaloblasts)</b><br></br>- May appear in the blood<br></br><b>4. RBC enlarged (macrocytosis) and oval shaped </b><br></br><br></br><b>5. RBC different sizes (anisocytosis) and shapes (poikilocytosis) </b><br></br><br></br><b>6. Iron cannot be utilised normally</b><br></br>- Deposited in various organs <br></br><br></br><b>7. Effects in other cells and tissues</b><br></br>- Neutrophils and megakaryocytes large with hypersegmented nuclei<br></br>- Enlarged nuclei in gut epithelial cells<br></br>- etc
How long does B12 stay stored in liver for?
5 years
What two deficiencies cause megaloblastic anaemia?
1) Vit B12 deficiency<br></br>2) Folate deficiency
What does iron deficiency anaemia cause a defect in?
Haem synthesis
What does thalassaemia cause a defect in?
Globin synthesis
2 types of haemolytic anaemia:
1) Extravascular (removed by macrophages, mainly in spleen)<br></br>2) Intravascular
What abnormalities cause haemolytic anaemia?
<b>1) Intrinsic to RBCs (hereditary)</b><br></br>- Structural defects (hereditary spherocytosis)<br></br>- Enzyme defects (pyruvate kinase ↓)<br></br>- Haemoglobinopathies<br></br><br></br><b>2) Extrinsic to RBCs (acquired)</b><br></br>- Immune (Haemolysis Dx of newborn)<br></br>- Physical (valve replacement)<br></br>- Chemical (lead poisoning)<br></br>- Infection (malaria)