Erythrocyte Disorders Flashcards
derived from the Greek word βanaimiaβ meaning βwithout bloodβ
Anemia
- is a decrease in the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood (functional definition)
- is defined operationally as a reduction in the hemoglobin content of blood that can be caused by a decrease in RBCs, hemoglobin, and hematocrit
- should not be thought of as a disease but rather as a manifestation of an underlying disease or deficiency
Anemia
1.Increase in heart rate, respiratory rate, and cardiac output
- Redistribution of blood flow from skin and viscera to heart, brain, and muscle
Anemia caused by sudden loss of blood volume:
- Decrease in hemoglobin-oxygen affinity by increasing the production of 2,3-biphosphoglycerate
- Increase in EPO production by kidneys
Anemia caused by slow loss of blood:
-refers to the production of erythroid precursor cells that are defective
- these defective precursors often undergo apoptosis
Ineffective erythropoiesis
megaloblastic anemia, thalassemia, sideroblastic anemia
Ineffective erythropoiesis
-refers to the decrease in the number of erythroid precursor in the bone marrow
- iron deficiency anemia, renal disease, aplastic anemia, acquired pure red cell aplasia, infection
Insufficient erythropoiesis
- most important among the RBC indices
- a measure of the average RBC volume in fL
- key in the morphologic classification of anemia
Mcv
- index of variation of cell volume in a red blood cell population
- the coefficient of variation of RBC volume expressed in percentage
Rdw
- an important tool to assess the bone marrowβs ability to increase RBC production in response to anemia
- determines whether an anemia is due to an RBC production defect or to a shortened survival defect
Reticulocyte count
- serves as a quality control to verify the results produced by automated analyzers
Peripheral Blood Smear/film
- may help in establishing the cause of anemia
Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy
valuable if an inappropriately low reticulocyte count and a microcytic anemia are present
Iron studies
helpful in investigating a macrocytic anemia with a low reticulocyte count
Serum vitamin B12 and serum folate assays
can differentiate autoimmune hemolytic anemias from hemolytic anemias due to other causes
DAT direct antiglobulin test (
Degree of hemoglobinization
Normochromia
Hypochromia
Hyperchromia
Central pallor is 1/3 of the red cell diameter
Normochromia
Central pallor is >1/3 of the red cell diameter
Hypochromia 1+
Central pallor is >2/3 of the red cell diameter
Hypochromia 2+
Central pallor is 3 quarter of the red cell volume
Hypochromia 3+
Thin rim of hemoglobin is left
Hypochromia 4+
Decreased or absent central pallor
Hyperchromia
variation in red cell size
Anisocytosis
-characterized by an MCV of less than 80 fL with small RBCs (less than 6ΞΌm)
-are caused by conditions that result in reduced hemoglobin synthesis
Microcytic anemia
IDA, chronic inflammatory states, sideroblastic anemia, lead poisoning
Defective heme synthesis : microcytic anemia
Thalassemia, Hb E disease
Defective globin synthesis: microcytic anemia
TAILS
Microcytic anemia
-characterized by an MCV in the range of 80-100 fL
- develop due to premature destruction and shortened survival of RBCs
Normocytic anemia
Immune and nonimmune RBC injury
Extrinsic causes