Final answer:
Pathological red blood cells associated with microangiopathic and macroangiopathic anemia are typically abnormal in shape, with schistocytes present in microangiopathic cases due to shearing in small vessels. Diagnosis of anemias involves evaluating RBC size and reticulocyte counts, which reflects the underlying bone marrow response and helps differentiate between the types of anemia caused by diminished RBC production or increased destruction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pathological RBC associated with both micro- and macroangiopathic anemia is often an abnormally shaped red blood cell. In microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, these cells are typically fragmented or schistocytes due to shearing by fibrin strands in small vessels. In macroangiopathic anemia, the damage to red blood cells is generally due to larger vessel pathology.
Anemias can be classified by the mean corpuscle volume (MCV), which measures the size of red blood cells. This helps to understand the type of anemia: normocytic, microcytic, or macrocytic. Furthermore, the reticulocyte count is crucial for evaluating the bone marrow response to anemia, indicating whether the anemia is due to reduced RBC production or increased RBC destruction.
Anemia, characterized by inadequate levels of RBCs or hemoglobin, leads to reduced oxygen delivery to tissues, causing symptoms like fatigue, lethargy, and an increased risk of infection. The effects on brain function include impaired thinking, headaches, and irritability, with cardiovascular compensation leading to shortness of breath.