Pathophysiology

- fatigue- dizziness- shortness of breath- pale skin- bruising- oral thrush

Predisposing Factors:

Precipitating Factors:

Damage to the microenvironment of the marrow

Altered bone marrow function

Reduced hematopoiesis

APLASTICANEMIA

Anemia Leukopenia Thrombocytopenia

If Treated:Medical management

Blood transfusion- Pack RBC- Platelet concentrate

Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT)

Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation (PBSCT)

Immunosuppressive Therapy Antithymocyte Globulin Cyclosporine

Supportive theraphy

IVF Therapy Drug Theraphy

If Not Treated: Pancytopenia relapse

RBC platelet WBC

Hypoxemia hemorrhage localized infection

Hypoxia hypovolemic systemic infection ShockAnoxia septic shock

DEATH

Written Pathophysiology

Aplastic anemia is a rare disease that can either be congenital or acquired, but most

cases are idiopathic or no apparent cause. This is caused by a decrease in or damage to

marrow stem cells, damage to the microenvironment within the marrow and replacement of

the marrow with fat. Some factors that can trigger it are exposure to chemicals and radiation

(benzene, pesticides) and infection. It results in bone marrow failure, which eventually alters

the normal functioning of the bone marrow, which is to produce Red Blood Cells. As a

result, there will be decreased production of red blood cells, which most probably lead to

anemia (decreased RBC count), leukopenia (less than normal amount of WBC in the

circulation) and thrombocytopenia (decreased platelet count). If this condition will not be

treated, pancytopenia then relapses. As an effect, presence of abnormal decrease in RBC will

lead anoxia. Platelet will also decrease which could possibly lead to hemorrhage then to

hypovolemic shock. Moreover, there is also abnormal decrease in WBC which in return can

lead to localized infection then to systemic infection after sometime that it is not treated, will

progress to septic shock that eventually lead to death. Since there is impairment in the

production of RBCs, WBCs and platelet, aplastic anemia can be manage through blood

transfusions and can be treated through Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT) and Peripheral

Blood Stem Cell Transplantation (PBSCT). In others the disease can be managed with

immunosuppressive therapy; a combination of Antithymocyte Globulin and Cyclosporine is

most commonly used. Supportive therapy plays an important role in the management of

aplastic anemia. The patient is supported with transfusions of RBC and platelet as necessary.