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8.1: Microangiopathic Hemolytic Anemias (MAHAs)

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    38807
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    An interactive or media element has been excluded from this version of the text. You can view it online here:
    https://pressbooks.library.ualberta.ca/mlsci/?p=464

    Images of peripheral blood smears demonstrating features of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia . Note the presence of schistocytes, increased polychromasia, and lack of platelets. From MLS Collection, University of Alberta.

    Image 1: 50x oil immersion. https://doi.org/10.7939/R3FX74D2V

    Image 2: 100 oil immersion. https://doi.org/10.7939/R3B56DK8D

    Image 3: 50x oil immersion. https://doi.org/10.7939/R3639KM46

    Introduction:1,2

    Microangiopathic hemolytic anemias are a group of disorders that involve the fragmentation of red blood cells in the circulation due to the formation of microthrombi in the microvasculature. This results in intravascular hemolysis and thrombocytopenia.

    Red blood cells are physically damaged as they pass through blood vessels resulting in the formation of schistocytes (intravascular hemolysis). The damaged red blood cells are then often removed from circulation by the spleen resulting in extravascular hemolysis.

    These features can be found in certain clinical states:

    1. Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)
    2. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)
    3. Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS)
    4. HELLP Syndrome (Hemolysis, Elevated liver enzymes and Low platelets)

    General Laboratory Findings of MAHAs:3

    CBC:

    PLT: Decreased

    Hb: Decreased

    RETIC: Increased

    PBS:

    Schistocytes

    Polychromasia

    nRBCs

    Other Tests:

    Unconjugated Bilirubin: Increased

    LDH: Increased

    Haptoglobin: Decreased

    Urine urobilinogen: Increased

    Variable hemoglobinuria and hemoglobinemia


    References:

    1. Smith LA. Hemolytic anemia: nonimmune defects. In: Clinical laboratory hematology. 3rd ed. New Jersey: Pearson; 2015. p.372–87.

    2. Harmening DM, Yang D, Zeringer H. Hemolytic anemias: extracorpuscular defects. 5th ed. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Company; 2009. p. 250-79).

    2. Keohane EM. Extrinsic defects leading to increased erythrocyte destruction – nonimmune causes. In: Rodak’s hematology clinical applications and principles. 5th ed. St. Louis, Missouri: Saunders; 2015. p. 394-410.


    This page titled 8.1: Microangiopathic Hemolytic Anemias (MAHAs) is shared under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Valentin Villatoro and Michelle To (Open Education Alberta) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.