Polycythemia Flashcards
1
Q
what is polycythemia
A
production of large quantities of extra RBCs
2
Q
Types of polycythemia
A
Secondary polycythemia
Polycythemia vera
3
Q
Causes of Secondary Polycythemia
A
Living at high altitudes
Failure of oxygen delivery
4
Q
Causes of Polycythemia Vera
A
A pathological condition, caused by a genetic aberration.
5
Q
Hematocrit level in Polycythemia Vera
A
High (60-70%)
6
Q
High hematocrit causes the blood viscosity to be?
A
High
7
Q
What effects are there on the blood flow in Polycythemia
A
Sluggish blood flow
8
Q
What are the effects of Polycythemia on these things?
- Cardiac output
- Venous return
- Arterial pressure
A
- CO is normal
- VR is first decreased due to sluggish blood flow and then increased due to regulation
- In 1/3 of patients, the arterial pressure is elevated
9
Q
Why does the skin turn blue in polycythemia?
A
Blood passes sluggishly through the skin capillaries and before entering the skin subpapillary venous plexus, most of the hemoglobin becomes deoxygenated.
