Final answer:
Pathological RBCs associated with micro- and macroangiopathic hemolytic anemia are fragmented cells, known as schistocytes or helmet cells, resulting from shearing forces in damaged blood vessels.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pathological red blood cells (RBC) associated with micro- and macroangiopathic hemolytic anemia are generally fragmented RBCs, often referred to as schistocytes or helmet cells. These abnormally shaped RBCs are a result of shearing forces in the bloodstream, due to the damaged or narrowed blood vessels in conditions such as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). In microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, small blood vessels are involved, whereas in macroangiopathic, larger blood vessels are affected. Both conditions lead to excessive destruction of RBCs, contributing to anemia, which is characterized by reduced oxygen delivery to tissues, causing symptoms like fatigue, lethargy, and increased risk of infection.
The pathological RBC associated with micro- and macroangiopathic hemolytic anemia is schistocytes. Schistocytes are abnormal fragmented red blood cells that are formed due to mechanical damage to RBCs in the blood vessels, leading to their destruction. This condition is commonly observed in conditions such as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).