Hemolytic Anemia Flashcards
What is hemolytic anemia?
RBC destruction resulting in loss of RBC mass and release of cellular contents that can be inherited or aquired
What are some inherited forms of hemolytic anemia?
– RBC membrane disorders
– RBC enzyme deficiencies
– Hemoglobinopathies
What are some acquired hemolytic anemias?
– Autoimmune (antibody mediated) hemolysis – Mechanical trauma – Infections – Chemical – Splenic sequestration
Hemolysis can occur extravascular or intravascular which is more common?
Extravascular: Spleen»_space;»> liver, bone marrow
What labs are used to identify hemolytic anemia?
- Normocytic anemia
- Reticulocytosis
- ↑ LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase), potassium from release of cellular contents
- Bilirubinemia: Unconjugated bilirubinemia (indirect)
- Hemoglobinemia (free hgb in plasma): More pronounced in intravascular hemolysis and Scavenged by haptoglobin (↓ hapto)
- DAT (direct antiglobulin test)
What types of urine screens could you do for hemolytic anemia?
Hemoglobinuria and Hemosiderinuria (most often seen with intravascular hemolysis)
What can cause a “false positive” for hemolytic anemia?
“phlebotomy induced”
hemolysis from hyperkalemia
Clinical features of hemolysis?
anemia and Hyperbilirubinemia
sometimes other symptoms related to cause
It is not uncommon for patients with hemolytic anemia to have baseline hemoglobin of 6-7 g/dL without symptoms why?
chronic hemolytic conditions (eg sickle
cell anemia, thalassemia, pyruvate kinase deficiency) can often tolerate extreme anemia with minimal symptoms
Acute changes in red blood cell volume are poorly tolerated
What are some clinical features of Hyperbilirubinemia?
- Jaundice is detectable in most fair-skinned individuals when bilirubin exceeds 2.5 mg/dL
- Scleral icterus can be detected by experienced physicians when bilirubin exceeds 1.7 mg/dL
- Increased risk of bilirubin gallstone (pigmented)
What are some rare complications of hemolytic anemia?
- Pigment induced kidney injury from heme
- Folate deficiency due to increased utilization
- Increased risk of venous and arterial thrombosis related, including venous thrombosis of atypical sites (portal vein, cerebral venous sinus)
Splenomegaly, hepatomegaly related to extra-medullary hematopoiesis is seen with which types of hemolytic anemia?
Thalassemia, PK deficiency, Hereditary spherocytosis
Skeletal changes related to expansion of marrow ‘chipmunk facies’, convex bones is seen with which hemolytic anemia?
Beta thalassemia major
What hemolytic anemia has asplenia?
sickle cell anemia
Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia is seen with what causes of hemolytic anemia?
Seen in TTP, HUS, DIC, malignant hypertension, CREST syndrome, vasculitis, HELLP syndrome
What does Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia cause?
Microvascular infarction causing acute kidney injury, liver disease, abdominal pain, fever, mental status changes, thrombocytopenia, rash, hemorrhagic diarrhea
35 yo female with mild jaundice, splenomegaly, low Hb (9.4) and spherocytes on blood smear
What would happen to her MCHC?
Increase due to spherocytes becoming dehydrated as they move through the vessels causing increased concentration of Hb
What are spherocytes?
• Normal-sized RBCs with increased hemoglobin concentration that are less flexible, trapped in
spleen causing shortened life span