blood disorders

• Who is the lecturer for the Pathology – Blood Disorders course?

  Dr. Natasha Barrett
• What is the purpose of lecture capture in the Pathology course?

  To record the slides and audio of lectures as they are delivered
• What should students be aware of regarding lecture recordings?


  Conversations near the microphone will be captured if recording is active
• What are the learning objectives for the Pathology – Blood Disorders session?

  • Describe several different blood disorders:
  • Anaemia (RBCs)
  • Leukaemia (WBCs)
  • Thrombosis (platelets/coagulation)
  • Details of:
  • Pathophysiology
  • Histology
  • Symptoms/signs
  • Diagnosis
  • Treatment/prevention
  • Prognosis
• What is the function of red blood cells (RBCs)?

  To supply oxygen to tissues and cells and help remove carbon dioxide
• Which part of blood helps fight infection?

  White blood cells
• What role do platelets play in the blood?

  They prevent vascular leaking
• What are the key components of RBC histology?

  • Blood smear stained with Romanowsky stain:
  • Methylene blue stains nuclei purple
  • No nucleus
  • Eosin stains cytoplasmic proteins pink
  • Full of haemoglobin
  • No mitochondria
  • Biconcave discs (7-12µm, ~90fL)
• What happens when the physiology of RBCs goes wrong?

  It results in disease or disorders, such as the inability to transport sufficient O2/CO2
• What is the definition of anaemia?

  Reduced haemoglobin concentration in the blood
• How common is anaemia among women and men?

  Affects 10% of women and 2-5% of men
• What are some common causes of anaemia?

  Acute bleeding, chronic bleeding, iron deficiency, folate/Vitamin B12 deficiency, and premature destruction of RBCs
• What are some signs and symptoms of anaemia?

  Shortness of breath, tachycardia, pallor, and fatigue
• What are the diagnostic indicators for different types of anaemia?

  • Acute bleeding: low RBC count, normal size/colour
  • Chronic bleeding: depends on resulting deficiency
  • Iron deficiency: normal count, small pale RBCs
  • Folate/B12 deficiency: normal/low count, large RBCs
  • Haemolysis: low count, normal size/colour
• What is the treatment for anaemia based on its cause?

  Stop/address any bleeding, iron-rich foods/supplements, folate/B12 rich foods/supplements, and blood transfusion
• What is the prognosis for anaemia?

  It depends on the cause
• What is the definition of leukaemia?

  Uncontrolled growth of one WBC type in the bone marrow
• What are the main types of leukaemia?

  • AML: Acute Myeloid Leukaemia
  • CML: Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia
  • CLL: Chronic Lymphoid Leukaemia
  • ALL: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia
• What are common causes of leukaemia?

  Usually unknown, occasionally chemicals, radiation, viral, or genetic factors
• What are the signs and symptoms of leukaemia?

  Anaemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia
• How is leukaemia diagnosed?

  Through FBC showing increased affected WBC type and decreased other WBCs, RBCs, and platelets, and bone marrow biopsy
• What are the treatments for leukaemia?

  Chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant
• What is the role of platelets in thrombosis?

  • Platelets play a role in haemostasis (cessation of bleeding)
  • Steps in thrombosis:

  1. Injury to blood vessel

  2. Collagen exposed

  3. Platelet adhesion

  4. Platelet activation

  5. Platelet secretion

  6. Platelet aggregation

  7. Fibrin strands trap cells forming a stable thrombus or clot
• What is the simplistic coagulation process?

  Fibrin is produced by active thrombin at sites of tissue injury
• What is fibrinolysis?

  It is the process of breaking down fibrin to re-establish blood flow
• What causes arterial thrombosis?

  Inappropriate activation of platelets due to atherosclerosis
• What is Virchow’s Triad related to venous thrombosis?

  It includes stasis, endothelial damage, and hypercoagulability
• Where does Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) commonly occur?


  In the deep veins of the legs
• What are the symptoms of arterial thrombosis?

  Symptoms depend on location, such as pain in the leg or signs of ischaemic stroke
• How is peripheral arterial disease (PAD) diagnosed?

  Using the ankle-brachial index, ultrasound, or MRI
• What are the signs and symptoms of venous thrombosis?

  • Tenderness
  • Swelling
  • Redness
  • Heat (unilateral)
  • Fever
  • General malaise
  • Elevated WBC and erythrocyte sedimentation rate
• What is the role of plasmin in the body?

  Plasmin breaks down fibrin during fibrinolysis
• What is the significance of the ankle-brachial index?

  It helps diagnose peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
• What is the relationship between thrombosis and atherosclerosis?

  Atherosclerosis can lead to arterial thrombosis by exposing thrombogenic lipids
• What is the role of megakaryocytes in platelet production?

  Megakaryocytes are large precursor cells in the bone marrow that fragment to form platelets
• What is the normal range for platelet count?

  150-400 x 10⁹/L
• What happens during platelet activation?

  Platelets change shape and release granules that promote aggregation and clot formation
• What is the significance of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate in thrombosis?


  It can indicate inflammation or the presence of a thrombus
• What is Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) often caused by?

  Immobility, such as bed rest, post-surgery, or long flights/car journeys
• How is Deep Vein Thrombosis visualized?


  Using X-ray opaque dye