Polycythemia vera (PV) is a stem cell disorder characterized as a panhyperplastic, malignant, and neoplastic marrow disorder. Its most prominent feature is an elevated absolute red blood cell mass because of uncontrolled red blood cell production. This is accompanied by increased white blood cell (myeloid) and platelet (megakaryocytic) production, which is due to an abnormal clone of the hematopoietic stem cells with increased sensitivity to the different growth factors for maturation.
Impaired oxygen delivery due to sludging of blood may lead to the following symptoms:
Headache
Dizziness
Vertigo
Tinnitus
Visual disturbances
Angina pectoris
Intermittent claudication
Bleeding complications include epistaxis, gum bleeding, ecchymoses, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Thrombotic complications include venous thrombosis or thromboembolism and an increased prevalence of stroke and other arterial thromboses.
Do you know key information about the presentation, workup, and treatment of PV? Test yourself with this quick quiz.
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Cite this: Emmanuel C. Besa. Fast Five Quiz: Are You Familiar With Key Aspects of Polycythemia Vera? - Medscape - Apr 04, 2018.
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