polycythemia / erythrocytosis Flashcards
1
Q
what is polycythaemia vera
A
(a myeloproliferative disorder): neoplastic production (inc) of well differentiated RBC = inc HB, HCT, RBC
2
Q
long term consequences of polycythaemia vera
A
BM overworked => fibrosis = dec. production of RBC
3
Q
How can polycythaemia vera diagnosed/detected
A
- detect mutation in Janus kinase 2 gene (JAK2 V617F )
4
Q
Describe the assays necessary to characterise erythrocytosis
A
- FBC : for no.
- blood film examination : for morphology
- Molecular biology: look for gene JAK2 V617F
- arterial blood gas (pO2) ; bc hypoxia => erythrocytosis
- Epo assay: stimulant
- RBC & plasma vol
- renal function: bc where Epo is released
5
Q
Explain the difference between a relative polycythaemia and polycythaemia vera
A
relative _: dec. plasma vol. bc dehydrated
_ vera: inc. RBC, HCT, Hb
6
Q
a inc. RCM means?
A
‘absolute’
7
Q
a dec. plasma vol. means?
A
‘relative’
