Haem: Interactive Cases Flashcards

1
Q

List some general clinical signs of anaemia.

A
  • Pale mucous membranes
  • Tachycardia
  • Cardiomegaly/CCF
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2
Q

List some specific clinical signs of anaemia.

A
  • Koilonychia
  • Glossitis (B12 deficiency - B12 is needed for epithelial cell replacement)
  • Jaundice (haemolysis)
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3
Q

List some causes of microcytic anaemia.

A
  • Iron deficiency
  • Thalassemia
  • Anaemia of chronic disease
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4
Q

List some investigationsthat are used for anaemia.

A
  • FBC
  • Blood film
  • Reticulocyte count
  • Haemoglobin electrophoresis
  • Iron studies
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5
Q

List some physiological triggers for reticulocytosis.

A
  • Haemolysis
  • Haemorrhage
  • Haematinics (agents that stimulate RBC production)
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6
Q

List some conditions in which reticulocytes are absent.

A
  • Inadequate haematinics
  • Bone marrow failure
  • Acute major haemorrhage (reticulocyte response takes at least 6 hours)
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7
Q

What are the typical haemoglobin electrophoresis findings of thalassemia?

A
  • High HbA2 and HbF
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8
Q

List some blood film features of iron deficiency anaemia.

A
  • Pencil cells
  • Anisocytosis
  • Poikilocytosis
  • Hypochromic
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9
Q

List some causes of pancytopaenia.

A
  • Aplastic anaemia
  • Leukaemia
  • Infiltration (e.g. lymphoma, carcinoma)
  • Drugs (e.g. chemotherapy)
  • B12/folate deficiency
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10
Q

List some investigations for pancytopaenia.

A
  • Blood film
  • Vitamin B12 and folate
  • Bone marrow biopsy
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11
Q

What is a defining feature of myeloid cells?

A
  • Auer rods
  • NOTE: the presence of Auer rods means that cytochemistry and immunophenotyping is not necessary
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12
Q

Which type of major infection is classically seen in AML?

A

Gram-negative septicaemia

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13
Q

What are the principles of management of AML?

A
  • Supportive - red cell and platelet transfusions, isolation
  • Chemotherapy
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14
Q

List some causes of thrombocytopaenia.

A
  • Defect in platelet production - drugs, bone marrow disorders (e.g. leukaemia, myelodysplasia)
  • Increased platelet destruction - ITP, DIC, heparin-induced thrombocytopaenia
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15
Q

List some investigations for thrombocytopaenia.

A
  • Coagulation screen
  • Blood film
  • Bone marrow aspirate
  • ANA/RAPA/anti-platelet antibodies (check for rheumatoid arthritis, SLE)
  • HIV (common cause of isolated platelet destruction worldwide)
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16
Q

List some causes of low platelets with abnormal clotting.

A
  • DIC
  • Alcohol
  • Drugs
  • Leukaemia
17
Q

List some investigations for suspected DIC.

A
  • Blood film
  • D-dimer
  • Fibrinogen
  • Septic screen
  • LFTs
18
Q

How is DIC managed?

A
  • Antibiotics
  • Blood products
  • Regular blood tests to assess response