View source for Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (patient information)

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{{Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia}} {{AE}} {{MSJ}}

==Overview==
[[Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia]] is a type of intra-vascular [[hemolysis]] that occurs due to a number of [[disease]]s. It is a clinical emergency and requires immediate treatment.

==What are the symptoms of Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia?==
It presents with wide range of clinical symptoms:
* [[Anemia]]
* [[Jaundice]]
* [[Petechia]]
* [[Purpura]]
* [[Mucosal]] [[bleeding]]
* [[Oliguria]]
* [[Neurological]] involvement

==What causes Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia?==
It is a clinical manifestation of a large number of underlying diseases including:
* [[Aortic stenosis]]
* [[Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura]]
* [[Hemolytic uremic syndrome]]
* [[Disseminated intravascular coagulation]]
* [[Cancer]]
* Mechanical [[heart]] valve

==When to seek urgent medical care?==
It is a medical emergency. Any patients presenting with high clinical suspicion should be given immediate treatment.

==Diagnosis==
The diagnosis of [[microangiopathic hemolytic anemia]] is made by carrying out [[blood]] tests and visualizing [[schistocyte]]s on [[peripheral blood smear]]. The blood tests show:
* [[Anemia]]
* Elevated [[lactate dehydrogenase]]
* Raised [[bilirubin]]
* Thrombocytopenia
* Deranged [[liver]] and [[renal function tests]]

==Treatment==
The treatment of choice is [[Plasma exchange]]. Other treatment option include
* Large volume [[plasma]] infusion
* Infusion of [[fresh frozen plasma]]
* [[Folate]] supplementation
* Anti-[[platelet]] therapy 
* [[Corticosteroid]]s

==Possible complications==
[[Acute renal failure]], [[intracranial hemorrhage]] and [[myocardial infarction]] are the possible complications.

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

[[Category:Disease]]
[[Category:Hematology]]
[[Category:Nephrology]]
[[Category:Mature chapter]] 
[[Category:Needs content]]
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