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Merck Manual
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Professional /
Hematology and Oncology /
Approach to the Patient With Anemia /
... /
Treatment of Anemia /

OTHER TOPICS IN THIS CHAPTER

Approach to the Patient With Anemia
Red Blood Cell Production
Etiology of Anemia
Evaluation of Anemia
Treatment of Anemia

ADDITIONAL CONTENT

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Sickle Cell Disease
Which of the following sickle cell crises occurs when marrow erythropoiesis slows during an acute infection with human parvovirus? 
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Treatment of Anemia

By

Evan M. Braunstein

, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

Last full review/revision Sep 2020| Content last modified Sep 2020
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If identified, the cause of the anemia is treated. When the hemoglobin (Hb) falls dangerously low (eg, < 7 g/dL [< 70 g/L] for patients without cardiopulmonary insufficiency or higher for patients with it), red blood cell (RBC) transfusion temporarily increases oxygen-carrying capacity. RBC transfusion should be reserved for patients

  • With or at high risk of cardiopulmonary symptoms

  • With active, uncontrollable blood loss

  • With some form of hypoxic or ischemic end-organ failure (eg, neurologic ischemic symptoms, angina, tachycardia in patients with underlying heart failure or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

Transfusion procedures and blood components are discussed elsewhere, as is the evaluation of anemia.

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Evaluation of Anemia
Overview of Decreased Erythropoiesis
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