Haematology Flashcards
what is the process of making red blood cells called
erythropoiesis
life span of a RBC
120 days
constituents of blood (%)
plasma (55%) & cellular (45%) - RBC WBC Platelets
life span of a platelet
7 days
life span of a WBC
7hrs
where are erythrocytes produced
bone marrow
where does eryptosis take place and what is it
spleen, liver and bone marrow - programmed cell death of RBC
what is erythroprotein
hormone controlling rbc production
stages of rbc production
pro erythroblast - erythroblast (10% die in BM) - late eryhtroblast (nucleus lost) - reticulocyte - erythrocyte (RBC)
what makes up haemoglobin A
2 alpha 2 beta 4 oxygen per haemoglobin
what is HbA2
2x alpha 2x delta
what is HbF
2x alpha 2x gamma
what cause o2 dissociation curve to shift right
increase or decrease O2 affinity?
decrease in pH (increase in H+)
increase in CO2
increase in temp
decrease in o2 affinity
what does thrombin do
converts fibrinogen to fibrin (clot)
activates factor XIII to xIIIa
positive feedback on further thrombin production
what factors does warfarin inhibit
10 9 7 2 (1972)
what does heparin inhibit
factor Xa which converts prothrombin to thrombin
what does plasmin do
cuts fibrin into fragments (D-Dimer) preventing clot growing
which are the vit K dependent clotting factors
10 9 7 2 (1972)
what does fibrinogen form cross links between
glycoproetin IIb/IIIa receptors on adjacent platelets
what is indicated by a low reticulocyte count
problem = producition i.e haematinic deficiency (iron, folate)
what is indicated by a high reticulocyte count
problem = removal
rbc lost or destroyed i.e bleeding or haemolytic anaemia as new rbc production is increased to compensate
what is ferritin
iron storage protein
what does a common myeloid progenitor cell go on to form
megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitor (i.e platelets and erythrocytes) or a granulocyte macrophage progenitor (basophil neutrophil eosinophil monocyte)
EVERYTHING NOT T AND B LYMPHOCYTES
what does a common lyphoid progenitor cell go on to form
b cell progenitor (b lympohocyte – plasma cell) or t cell progenitor (t lyphocyte, natural killer cell)
what is the mean cell volume in microcytic anaemia
<80fL
mean cell vol in normocytic
80-96fL
mean cell vol in macrocytic anaemia
> 96fL
low mcv and high rbc anaemia type?
thallassemia or other Hb abnormalities
low MCV and low RBC
Fe deficiency anaemia
lead poisoning
anaemia of chronic inflam
normal cell vol anaemias?
acute blood loss anaeimia of chronic disease haemolytic anaemia chronic kidney disease ( as no EPO) marrow infiltration/fibrosis autoimmune rheumatic disease
high mcv bone marrow is megaloblastic
vit 12 or folate deficiency
high mcv bone marrow is normoblastic
liver disease
reticulocytosis
hypothryoidism
alcohol
why is anaemia often asymptomatic?
a slow decrease in Hb allows for haemodynamic compenstation and enhanced o2 carrying capacity of the blood (curve shifts right as dissociates more readily)
classic symptoms of aneamia
- fatigue
- lethargy
- dyspnoea
- palpatations
- headache
classic signs of anaemia
- pallor
- pale mucous membranes
- tachycardia (compensatory)
- cardiac failure
what is anaemia the result of
low Hb concentraion due to low red cell mass OR increased plasma vol
microcytic examples
iron def
chronic disease
thalassaemia
normocytic examples
acute blood loss
anaemia of chronic disease
combined haematinic deficiency (nutrients req for rbc formation)
marcocytic examples
b12/folate defic
alcohol excess/liver disease
hypothyroid
haemtological (bone marrow infiltraion or failure)
anaemia consequences (in terms of oxygen)
tissue hypoxia as decreased o2 tranport
compensatory changes as a result of anaemia
increased tissue perfusion
increased rbc production
increase o2 transfer to tissues
pathological consequence of anaemia
myocardial fatty changes liver fatty change aggravates angina atrophic changes to skin and nails CNS cell death
what does MHCH stand for
mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration
aetiology of iron deificency anaemia
blood loss (menorrhagia or GI tract - HOOKWORM)
decreased absorption
poor intake
pregnancy/breast feeding
why can serum ferritin levels APPEAR normal in iron deficiency anaemia
ferritin is a acute phase reactant and so levels increase in inflam or malignant disease so may appear normal even if Fe deficient
Dx of iron deficiency anaemia
FBC - hypochromic microctyic
serum ferritin low (may be normal as acute phase reactant)
reticulocyte count low
endocscopy (GI related bleed cause?)
clin history - heavy periods, diet, NSAIDs(GI bleed)
what would be suggestive of fe defic anaemia from a clinical history
low intake - diet
heavy periods
NSAIDs self medication ( GI bleed)
Mx of iron defi anaem and any SE
orally - ferous sulphate
SE - black stools, nausea, diarr/constip
what does haemoglobinopathy mean
disorder of quantity (thalassaemia) or quality (sickle cell)
homozygous beta thalassaemia causes what defect in chain production
little of no normal beta chains produced with excess alpha chains
how does excess alpha chains in beta thalassaemia affect the body
they precipitate in erythroblats and RBCs and cause ineffective RBC production and breakdown (erythropoeisis and haemolysis)
combine with any other chain types produced increasing amounts of HbA2 (2x alpha 2xgamma) HbF(2x alpha 2xdelta) which also do this
if heterozygous beta thalassaemia what occurs
asymptomatic microctyosis with or without mild anaemia
causes of beta thalassaemia
mutation in beta globin genes - decrease beta chain production
causes of alpha thalassamemia
genetic DELETIONS in alpha globin chain controlling genes
4 deletions in alpha anaemia
no alpha chain synth = Hb barts (4x gamma) DEATH IN UTERO
3 deletions in alpha anaemia
decrease in alpha chains so low HbA2 levels - HBH (4x beta) disease - severe haemolytic anaemic and splenomegaly
2 deletions in alpha anaem
asympt carrier
mild anaemia
HBH (beta 4) may be seen on blood film
if both mild beta+ and alpha thalassamia what is the result and why
intermedia - decease in alpha chain precipitation and so balances with little beta production (both decreased) - less unmatched
clincical features of major homozygous beta thal
fail to thrive, chronic infections, bony abnormalities (skull bossing) hepatosplenomegaly
homozygous beta thallas, why severe anaemia presentation after first 3-6months of life
this is when should switch from foetal haemoglobin (HbF (2x alpha 2x beta) to adult HbA2 (2x alpha 2x beta) so gets worse as switch as no beta
Mx of thalassaemia
regular iron transfusions
long term folic accid supplements
bone marrow transplant
what is the risk of regular blood transfusions and how overcome it?
iron overload risk - give iron chelation (desferrioxamine) to prevent endocrine organ damage
diagnosis of thalassaemia on blood film
increased reticulocytes and nucleated RBCs
Dx of thalass methods
fbc blood film electrophoresis
thalassaemia electrophoreis results
show lack of HbA2
HbF band Large
what infections cause anaemia of chronic disease
TB,
chronic inflamm (crohns, reumatoid arthritis, SLE)
malignancy
causes of anaemia of chronic disease
- decrease in iron release from BM
- decreased rbc survial
- inadeq EPO response to anaemia
Dx of anaemia of chronic disease
low serum iron
serum ferritin normal or increased due to inflam process
what is sideroblastic anaemia
inherited or aquired disorders characterised by refactory anaemia - accumulation of iron in mitochondria of erhythroblasts so causes disordered haem production
cx of sideroblastic anaemia
myeloid leukaemia, lead toxicity, alcohol xs
normocytic anaemia sub catergories x3
- acute blood loss or haemorrhage
- COMBINED haematinic deficiency (iron -micro and b12- macro)
- anaemia of chronic disease
what system disorders is normocytic anaemia commonly seen
endocrine
macroctyic anaem aetiolgy x3
megaloblastic BM (pernicious and folate defic) and normoblastic (alcohol XS)
pathophysiology behind megaloblastic aneamiea
inhib of dna synthesis and so RBS dont progress onto mitosis - continuing growth WITHOUT DIVISION = MACRO
erthyroblasts with delayed nuclear matureation - megaloblasts
haematological findings in macro anaem
how can this be combined to show an average mcv?
MCV >96fL (unless coexists with micro - dimorphic picture therefore average MCV = normocytic anaemia
what is deficient in pernicious anaemia
vitamin b12
where is vit b12 absorbed
terminal ileum bound to Intrinsic factor (IF)
what is IF secreted by
gastric parietal cells with H+
Cx of b12 deficiency
atrophic gastritis crohns gastrectomy coeliac pernicious anaemia
pathophysiology of b12 defic anaemia
autoimmune disorder destruction of parietal cells - decreasing IF production - cant bind to vit b12 so not absorbed. b12 required to make rbcs
CFs of pernicious anaemia
neurological problems - polyneuropathy, pschyiatric problems
glossitis (sore red tongue)
anaemia symptoms
diagnosis of pernicous anaemia
blood film - macrocytic rbs
autoantibody screen - IF antibodies
serum bilirubin - increase due to ineffective erythropoiesis
serum b12 - below 160ng/L
what do u see on the blood film for pernicious anaemia
macrocytic RBCs
what is serum b12 level in perncious anaemia Dx
below 160ng/L
Mx of pernicious anaemia
vitamin b12 tablets/injections (hydroxocobalamin)
complication of pernicious anaemai
heart failure, angina, neuropathy
where is folate absorbed
jejunum
Causes of folate deficiency anaemia
NUTRITION
1.poor intake
2. antifolate drugs (methotrexate)
XS UTILISATION
sources of folate in diet
green veg, liver, nuts
why may folate intake be poor?
anorexia - GI disease (crohns, coeliac, cancer)
when may folate be utilised excessively
- physiological - pregancy,lactation
- pathological - haemolysis, malignant disease (increased cell turnover), inflam disease
- malabsorption - small bowel disease (minor)
what drug may cause folate defic
methotrexate = folate antagonist
does neuropathy occur in b12 or folate defic anaemia
b12 NOT folate
clinical features of folate deficiency
asymptomatic
anaemia symptoms (pallor, fatigue)
symptoms from underlying cause
glossitis can occur
Mx of folate defic anaemia
5mg folic acid daily
Dx of folate defic anaemia
blood film - megaloblasts
erythrocyte folate level
serum folate (>3 ug/L)
what area in world is alpha thalassaemia confined to
eastern med and far east
what is haemolytic anaemia caused by
increased destruction of RBCs - reduced survival time
when does haemolytic anaemia occur?
when RBCs are destroyed before 120days in marcophages of bone marrow, liver and spleen
when can shorter RBC survival sometimes not cause anaemia?
if it is compensated!
an increase in RBC production in the BM = compensated haemolytic disease
how can the BM compensate for haemolysis thus not have anaemia
- increase proportion of cells undergoing erythropoeis
- increase vol of active marrow
- release immature red cells (reticulocytes) early
what can be seen on blood film of haemolytic anaemia
polychromasia due to residual ribosmal rna as reticuloctyes present as released early to compensate increased breakdwon
inherited causes of haemolytic anaemia
inherited - membranopathies=spherocytosis
enzymopathies
haemoglobinopatheis = thalassaemia, sickle cell
aquired casues of haemolytic anaemia
autoimmune
infections - malaria
secondary to systemic disease - renal and liver failure
symptoms of haemolytic anaeima
gall stones (XS bilirubin
what is there XS of in haemolytic anaemia
billirubin (Hb – Haem + globin. Haem = iron + BILIRUBIN)
signs of haemolytic anaemia
jaundice (XS bilirubin)
leg ulcers
splenomegaly (where breakdown occurs)
why splenomegaly in haemolyitc anaemia
as increase in breakdown of RBC and occurs in spleen
Dx on blood film of haemolytic anaemia
spherocytes (if Cx=spherocytosis) and RETICULOCYTES (released early to keep up with increased breakdown)
FBC results in Haemolytic anaemia
low Hb
what is the osmotic fragility test and what used for
place RBCs in water and swell and lyse - if spehrocytes = less tolerant than normal concave
USED IN HAEMOLYTIC ANAEMIA - spherocytosis