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Hematological Changes, Anemia, and Bleeding in Older Persons

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Abstract

Age-related changes in the human hematopoietic system are subtle, are often difficult to separate from coexistent comorbidities, and are of clinical import under conditions that stress hematopoiesis. Anemia is the most common age-related hematologic abnormality, and in the elderly surgical patient, proper management of disorders of hemostasis and thrombosis is particularly important. These are covered in detail in the chapter that follows. Marrow disorders such as myelodysplasia (MDS), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), monoclonal gammopathies (MG), polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and idiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF), all of which have a predilection for the elderly, are also discussed.

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Correspondence to Bruce O. Hough .

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Hough, B.O., Chatta, G.S. (2011). Hematological Changes, Anemia, and Bleeding in Older Persons. In: Rosenthal, R., Zenilman, M., Katlic, M. (eds) Principles and Practice of Geriatric Surgery. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6999-6_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6999-6_5

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