From episode 162 on the ECC feed. With Dr Avalene Tan.
-
This is of no real practical relevance for most of us, but it’s too cool not to share! Dr Tan (who has a very useful website and newsletter that highlights the most exciting new literature in ECC) explained why IMHA (Immune Mediated Haemolytic Anaemia) patients are at risk of throwing clots:
-
Did you know that in their efforts to catch and kill pathogens, neutrophils put out a ‘web’?!
-
It’s called an extracellular trap, and it’s made from neutrophil DNA that is decorated with a bunch of enzymes and histones, and it’s possibly the coolest thing I’ve nerded out on this week!
-
(It’s this very reactive trap that interacts with the coagulation system and can get it a bit over-excited. But wouldn’t you be excited if you met Spiderman!?)
-
For more clinical pearls, sign up for our free weekly Newsletter, or get all of our content on the go with our Clinical Podcasts
