IMHA Flashcards
1
Q
Hallmarks that suggest it is IMHA
A
- Regenerative anemia- marked to moderate with normal TP
- Presence of spherocytes
- Haemoglobinuria
- Marked Bilirubinuria
- Hyperbilirubinaemia +/- Jaundice
- Positive Slide agglutination test 37 degrees
- Positive Coomb test
- Evidence of inflammatory leucogram
2
Q
How does Coomb test work?
A
Anti-antibody complexes on red blood cells . Lg G, Lg M, complement protein C3.
Beware of false positive and false neg.
3
Q
What is spherocytes?
A
End results of phagocytosis of RBC membrane leaving no haemoglobin within.
Common causes of phagocytosis of RBC: IMHA; HSA; stored blood
4
Q
Management goal of IMHA
A
- Halt RBC lysis via immune mediated process
- blood transfusion if indicated e.g hypoxia; hypovolaemia
- Thromboprophylaxis
- Supportive care IVFT, oxygenation, monitoring
