Laboratory Diagnosis of Microangiopathic Hemolytic Anemia Including TTP, DIC, and HUS

Abstract

A wide variety of disorders lead to red cell fragmentation, where microangiopathies come to light upon incidental laboratory diagnosis or with catastrophic clinical presentation. Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia is often the “symptom” or “manifestation” of an underlying activated endothelium or platelet secondary to myriad possibilities. The laboratory work up of disorders under this umbrella term is complex and individualised. Our recent understanding into their pathogenesis has led to better distinction of diseases previously misdiagnosed as another.