microangiopathic hemolytic anemias (MAHAs)

see also:

• thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA)

• microangiopathic hemolytic anemias (MAHAs) are caused by spontaneous aggregation of platelets and activation of coagulation in the small blood vessels creating a fibrin mesh on endothelial walls

• thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)
• haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS)
• malignant hypertension
• disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
• systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• cancer
• chemotherapy for cancers
• HELLP syndrome in pregnancy
• eclampsia
• scleroderma renal crisis
• malfunctioning cardiac valves (called the “Waring Blender syndrome”)
• renal allograft rejection
• paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria
• vasculitis such as polyarteritis nodosa and granulomatosis with polyangiitis
• antiphospholipid syndrome

• by the finding of anaemia and schistocytes on microscopy of the blood film
• there is usually raised unconjugated bilirubin levels