10 Questions
What is the primary pathophysiologic mechanism for the anemia in this patient?
Mechanical trauma to RBCs
Which of the following RBC morphological changes is NOT typically seen in this patient's peripheral smear?
Oval-macrocytes
What is the mechanism by which a prosthetic heart valve can cause hemolysis?
Excessive shear and turbulence in the cardiac circulation
What is the characteristic RBC morphology associated with cytoskeleton abnormalities?
Spherocytes, elliptocytes, or stomatocytes
What is the characteristic RBC morphology associated with megaloblastic anemia?
Oval-macrocytes
What is the association between burr cells and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia?
Burr cells can occur as an artifact or in association with microangiopathic hemolytic anemia
Why is the normal platelet count in this patient important in ruling out microangiopathic hemolytic anemia?
Thrombocytopenia is the pathophysiologic mechanism for microangiopathic hemolytic anemia
What is the characteristic peripheral blood finding associated with megaloblastic anemia, in addition to oval-macrocytes?
Hypersegmented neutrophils
Why are the RBC fragments, burr cells, and helmet cells seen in this patient's peripheral smear?
They are consistent with mechanical trauma to the red blood cells
What is the most likely cause of the patient's anemia, based on the information provided?
Mechanical hemolysis from a prosthetic heart valve
Test your knowledge of anemia mechanisms by identifying key features in patient history and peripheral smear. Learn about the connection between red blood cell fragments, burr cells, and helmet cells with traumatic hemolysis from conditions like microangiopathic hemolytic anemia or mechanical damage.
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