Haematology Peer Teaching Flashcards
how much of blood is plasma and how much is cellular
55% is plasma
45% is cellular
what is eryptosis and where does it occur
it is the apoptosis of RBCs and occurs in the spleen, liver and bone marrow
which white blood cells are granulocytes
neutrophils
basophils
eosinophils
what are platelets derived from?
they are derived from megakaryocytes
what are the functions of thrombin
- convert fibrinogen to fibrin (major component of a clot)
- activates factors
- V
- VIII
- XI
- this causes positive feedback on more thrombin production
which clotting factors are vitamin k dependent
2
7
9
10
what are the two reasons that the liver is important for clotting
produces bile salts which are important for vitamin K absorption
the liver synthesises clotting factors
draw the clotting cascade
5 things included in an FBC
red blood cell volume
white blood cell volume
platelet volume
Hb concentration
mean corpuscular volume
what is the reticulocyte count and what can it tell you
- the reticulocyte count is a blood test that enables you to see how quickly the bone marrow is producing new RBCs
- low RC:
- something is preventing RBCs from being produced
- e.g. haematinic deficiency
- high RC:
- indicates that rbcs are being lost or destroyed so more RBCs are being made to compensate
- e.g. bleeding/haemolytic anaemia
what is haematinic defiiciency
it is anaemia that is caused by deficiency in the constituents of blood cells
what is serum ferritin and what does it mean if it’s high or low
ferritin is the major iron storage protein in the body
it can be used to indirectly measure iron levels in the body
it’s also an acute phase protein so can be raised in inflammation and malignancy
why would you choose a THICK blood film
this allows the examination of a large amount of blood for the presence of parasites
why would you choose a THIN blood film
this allows observation of RBC morphology, inclusions and intracellular and extracellular parasites
how much O2 can each haemoglobin carry
there are two alpha chains and two beta chains
each can carry a molecule of O2
so overall, each molecule of haemoglobin can carry 4O2
what is anaemia
it is a decrease in haemoglobin below reference range
when is it microcytic, normocytic or macrocytic
microcytic - MCV <80
normocytic - MCV 80-100
macrocytic - MCV >100
nearly all anaemia presents with the same 5 symptoms
what are they
- Fatigue
- Lethargy
- Dyspnoea
- Palpitations
- Headache
nearly all anaemia presents with the same 3 signs
what are they
- Pale skin
- Pale mucous membranes
- Tachycardia
what are the 3 main causes of microcytic anaemia
thalassaemia
iron deficiency anaemia
anaemia of chronic disease
where in the digestive system is iron absorbed
in the duodenum
what are 4 signs specific to iron deficiency anaemia
- brittle hair and nails
- kolionychia - spoon shaped nails
- atrophic glossitis - inflamed tongue with depapillation
- angular stomatitis - inflammation of corners of mouth
name 5 things that can cause iron deficiency anaemia
low iron diet
blood loss
breastfeeding
malabsorption
hookworm
what does hypochromic mean
that red blood cells are paler than usual due to a deficiency of Hb
Ix for iron deficiency anaemia and what you will find
- FBC: hypochromic microcytic anaemia
- serum ferritin: low
- reticulocyte count: low
- endoscopy: possible GI bleed
treatment for iron deficiency anaemia and 5 SEs
- Ferrous Sulphate or Ferrous Fumarate
- SEs:
- black stools
- constipation
- diarrhoea
- nausea
- epigastric abdo pain
3 main causes of normocytic anaemia
acute blood loss
combined haematinic deficiency (iron and B12)
anaemia of chronic disease
4 conditions that can cause anaemia of chronic disease
- any that causes a shortening of red blood cell like or reduces red blood cell proliferation
- CKD
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Lupus
- Cancer
what are the three main causes of macrocytic anaemia
B12 deficiency (pernicious anaemia)
Folate deficiency
Alcohol excess
what is megaloblastic anaemia
this is what B12 and folate deficiency anaemia are sometimes called
it means that there has been an inhibition of DNA synthesis
the red blood cell continues to grow without mitosis causing macrocytosis
where is folate absorbed
it is absorbed in the jejunum
what are the main causes of folate deficiency
poor folate diet
malabsorption
pregnancy
anti-folate drugs (methotrexate)
investigation for folate deficiency anaemia
blood film: macrocytic anaemia
erythrocyte folate level: indicates reduced body stores
what is the treatment for folate deficiency anaemia
the treatment is folic acid supplementation and treatment of the underlying cause
consider prophylactic supplementation in pregnancy
what is the dietary source of folate
leafy greens and spinach
where is vitamin B12 absorbed
in the terminal ileum
what is pernicious anaemia
it is when there is no intrinsic factor commonly due to autoimmune destruction of parietal cells that produce it or against IF itself
intrinsic factor is required for vitamin B12 to bind and be absorbed
this leads to a B12 deficiency that causes anaemia
4 causes of pernicious anaemia
atrophic gastritis
gastrectomy
crohns
coeliac
these all either affect the production of intrinsic factor or absorption in the ileum
investigations for pernicious anaemia
blood film: macrocytic red cells
autoantibody screen: there may be IF antibodies
treatments for pernicious anaemia
vitamin B12 (Hydroxycobalm) injections
complications of pernicious anaemia
heart failure
angina
neuropathy
how are red blood cells removed from the circulation
after ~120 days they are removed by macrophages present in the red pulp of the spleen
what is haemolytic anaemia
this is when rbcs are destroyed before their 120 day lifespan is up
draw the rbc breakdown diagram
How does haemolytic anaemia present
- normal anaemia presentation
- jaundice (from excess bilirubin)
- gallstones (from excess bilirubin)
- signs of underlying disease (SLE Malar rash)
- leg ulcers
- splenomegaly
what are the two broad categories of causes of haemolytic anaemia
inherited
acquired
three inherited auses of haemolytic anaemia
membranopathies
enzymopathies
haemoglobinopathies
three acquired causes of haemolytic anaemia
autoimmune
infections
secondary to systemic disease
what is the treatment of haemolytic anaemia
treatment of the underlying cause
folate and iron supplementation
immunosuppressives if autoimmune
splenectomy if severe
what are the investigations for haemolytic anaemia
- FBC: reduced haemoglobin
- Reticulocyte count: increased
- Blood film: presence of schistocytes
what is bone marrow failure
this is where a reduction in the number of pluripotent stem cells causes a lack of haemopoiesis
the reduced number of new RBCs replacing the old ones causes anaemia
4 causes of bone marrow failure
congenital
acquired: i.e. aplastic anaemia
cytotoxic drugs/radiation
infections
malignant infiltration
what are some causes of aplastic anaemia
radiation
chemotherapy
infection
specific signs and symptoms of bone marrow failure
increased susceptibility to infection
increased bruising
increased bleeding (from nose and gums especially)
investigations for aplastic anaemia
- FBC: pancytopaenia
- Reticulocyte count: low
- Bone marrow biopsy: increased fat spaces where stem cells were
treatment for aplastic anaemia
removal of causative agent
blood/platelet transfusion
bone marrow transplant
immunosuppressive therapy
what is the definition of polycythaemia
it is an increase in haemoglobin, PCV and RBCs
primary causes of polycythaemia
- these are causes that increase the sensitivity of bone marrow to EPO
- Polycythaemia rubra vera
- mutation in JAK2 gene
- Primary familial congenital polycythaemia
- mutation in EPOR gene
- Polycythaemia rubra vera
secondary causes of polycythaemia
- these are causes where there are more RBCs due to incresed circulating EPO
- chronic hypoxia
- poor oxygen delivery (e.g. high altitude)
- abnormal RBC structure
- tumours that release EPO
symptoms of polycythaemia
may be asymptomatic
may present with easy bleeding/bruising, fatigue, dizziness, headaches
what are the Ix for polycythaemia
- FBC: increased PCV, RBC and Hb
- Genetic testing for JAK2 and EPOR gene
treatments for polycythaemia
primary: blood letting and aspirin
secondary: treat the underlying cause