Haematology Flashcards
(160 cards)
Anaemia PC and O/E
PC - asymptomatic, can be tired, SOB, chest pain and in high output cardiac failure if severe. Can potentiate angina and claudication
O/E - mucosal pallour, tachycardia
koilonychia - long standing iron deficiency
jaundice ?haemolysis
peripheral oedema or hyperdynamic circulation - HF
Lymphoid progenitors
B cells maturing in bone marrows, T cells or NK cells formed from T cell progenitors in the bone marrow
Reticulocytes
Young RBC should comprise <2% of the red cells. Gives a guide to erythroid activity in the BM
High in times of haemorrhage or haemolysis
Low = BM failure or haemtinic deficiency
Myeloid progenitors
Granulocyte-macrophage progenitor = differentiates to neutrophils, dendritic cells and eosinophils
Megokaryocyte progenitor = Platelets
Erythroblast = RBC
Inappropriate EPO production
RCC
Microcytic anaemia causes
MCV <80
Thalassemia, Iron deficiency, sideroblastic anaemia
Iron deficiency anaemia
Increased loss = menorrghia, GI loss - haemorrhage
Low intake = elderly with poor diet
Malabsorption = Crohns and coeliac
Iron absorption
Cells in duodenal crypt can sense the bodys iron requirements allowing transport of iron across the apical membrane of the mucosal cells in the SI. Here it will stay stored in ferritin to be lost when the mucosal cells are shed or absorped into the plasma.
Hepcidin is a polypeptide which regulates the iron transport out of the cells binding to ferroportin and causing its internalisation and destruction. Therefore in low iron states such as anaemia hepcidin will be downregulated, Iron is transported in the blood bound to transferrin
O/E iron deficient anameia
Kolinychia = spoon shaped nails
Angular stomatitis
Plummer-Vinson syndrome = dysphagia, glossitis, iron deficient anaemia and oesophageal webs
Iron deficient anaemia Hx
NSAIDs - ?GI bleed, dietary iron intake = meat/cereal
PR bleeding - IBD, haemorrhoids, CRC
Females = ask about periods and menorrhagia
Ivx Iron deficient anaemia
High total iron binding capacity
Low ferritin and transferrin saturations
Low MCV
On blood film = poikilocytosis = variation in shape
Mx iron deficient anaemia
Find the cause
Iron supplements - ferrous sulphate 200mg TDS take when fasting
SE = nausea, constipation
Macrocytic anaemia causes
MCV >96
Megaloblastic - B12 deficiency, folate deficiency
Normoblastic - hypothyroid, chronic alcohol, liver disease
Causes of all anaemia
Reduced production = haematinic deficiency = B12, folate, iron and pernicious anaemia. BM failure, CKD and anaemia of chronic disease
Haemolyis
i) Intrinsic = sickle cell, G6PD, hereditary spherocytosis
ii) Extrinsic = AI haemolytic anaemia, DIC, TTP, HUS, malaria
Blood loss = haemorrhage, menorrhagia, GI tract = CRC, PUD, HHT, varices
Megaloblastic microcytic anaemia
Presence of erythroblasts in BM with delayed nuclear maturation due to defective DNA synthesis. Large immature nuclei
On blood film = hypersegemented polymorphs with oval shaped.
B12
Absorbed from the gut by binding to intrinsic factor produced by parietal cells presents insidiously with peripheral neuropathy, fatigue, SOB. Is linked to NO abuse
Pernicious anaemia
AI atrophic gastritis which leads to destruction of gastric parietal cells hence reduced intrinsic factor production. This leads to B12 deficiency and a microcytic anaemia.
Seen in elderly . Linked to other AI conditions such as thyroid disease, addison and vitiligo. Increased risk of gastric cancer. Progressive insidious onset with parathesia of extremities
Inx - parietal cell Ab +ve 90% sensitive, intrinsic factor ab only present in 50% but are specific for the condition.
Folate deficiency
Found in green veg, nuts, liver absorbed in the proximal jejunum.
Poor intake due to diet, GI malabsorption
Drugs such as methotrexate, trimethoprim and phenytoin
Increased use = pregnancy
Subacute combined degeneration of the spina cord
Due to B12 deficient. PC with mixed UMN and LMN signs, spastic paresis, ataxia, +ve rombergs, brisk knee reflex and absent ankles. Lose vibration and proprioception early
Due to degeneration of the dorsal columns - pain and temperature are still intact.
Mx = hydroxocobalamin 1mg IM
Normoblastic macrocytic anaemia
Hypothyroidism, chronic alcohol, lover disease
Aplastic anemia, myeloma and myelodysplasia
Crucially = normal vit B12 and folate
Normocytic anaemia
CKD, anaemia of chronic disease, myeloma, haemolytic anaemia, BM infiltration or fibrosis
Myeloma
Malignant disease of BM plasma cells leading to mass proliferation of monoclonal Ab. Often IgG or IgA
This leads to IL-6 production, inhibiting osteoblasts, therefore unopposed osteoclast activity leads to lytic bone lesions and high Ca2+
PC myeloma
Osteolytic bone lesions leading to # - spinal cord compression due to vertebral collapse
Hyperviscosity syndrome - headache, visual changes
Renal impairment due to build up of light chains and hypercalcemia - ATN
Recurrent infections due to neutropenia
Epidimology of myelomas
Increased risk in the elderly, afrocarribean and males