Polycythemia Flashcards
Define Relative Polycythemia
An isolated decrease in plasma volume which elevates the Hgb, Hct, and RBC count
What is the etiology of Relative Polycythemia
Severe dehydration
“Smoker’s Polycythemia”
what is polycythemia
too many RBCs
what happens when you have too many RBCs
Higher blood viscosity
can cause things such as hypertension
What is primary polycythemia
excess production of all RBC types
what age is typical for Polycythemia primary
> 60
What is polycythemia vera
Increase in RBC -> thicker blood -> easy clotting -> blockage of blood flow -> Heart Attack/Stroke
patho of Polycythemia Vera
Pathogenesis: a single stem cell mutates into a cell that overproduces all blood cells
clinical manifestations of polycythemia vera
Many complaints (ex. headache, fatigue, weight loss, dyspnea)
Hypertension
Clotting problems
Ruddy color
etiology of secondary polycythemia
Adaptive (compensatory) response to tissue hypoxia
purpose of secondary polycythemia
Provide more oxygen carriers by increasing RBC production
who develops secondary polycythemia
COPD patients
what may high RBCs indicate in secondary polycythemia
Pulmonary fibrosis
Cor pulmonale
What are the 5 risks for polycythemia
Chronic hypoxia
Living at high altitudes
-Chronic Mountain Disease
Long-term cigarette -smoking
Familial and genetic predisposition
Long-term exposure to CO
- Working in tunnels
- High levels of pollution
- Garage attendants
Patho of polycythemia
Hypoxemia ->
stimulation of Erythropoietin ->
Increase of RBC Production
