Haemolysis Flashcards
what is haemolysis
premature red blood cell destruction
why are red blood cells susceptible to damage
biconcave shape
limited metabolic reserve
no nucleus so cant generate new proteins
what happens in haemolytic anaemia
rate of destruction exceeds rate of production
what are the consequences of haemolysis
erythoid hyperplasia
excess break down products e,g bilirubin
what is the most common type of haemolysis
extravascular
what is extravascular haemolysis
the blood cells are take up by spleen(mainly)
there is hyperplasia at destruction site
release of protoporphyrin
normal products in excess
what happens in intravascular haemolysis
this can be life threatening!!
the cells are destroyed in circulation and spill their contents causing:
haemogloninaemia
haemoglobinuria ( pink urine)
what are the 2 types of autoimmune haemolysis?
warm (IgG)
cold ( IgM)
these can be idiopathic, due to connective tissue disease, infection, drugs, lymphoproliferative disorders
what are the 2 types of alloimmune haemolysis?
immune response e.g to transfusion reaction
passive antibody transfer e,g haemolytic disease of newborn
name some causes of acquired haemolysis
burns
infection-malaria
leaky heart valve
HUS- e.coli 0157
name some causes of haemolysis due to abnormal cell membrane
Vit E def
liver disease
hereditary spherocytosis
name some causes of haemolysis due to abnormal red blood cell metabolism
failure to produce ATP
failure to cope with oxidative stress ( G6PD defieiency)- no glutathion produced
name a cause of haemolysis due to abnormal haem
sickle cell
