compensatory polycythemia

compensatory polycythemia

n.

Polycythemia resulting from anoxia, as in congenital heart disease, pulmonary emphysema, or prolonged residence at a high altitude.

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polycythemia

an increase in the circulating red blood cell mass.

There are two distinct forms:

Primary polycythemia is a myeloproliferative disorder of unknown etiology. It occurs as an inherited defect in cattle and is a rare disease in dogs and cats. There is hyperplasia of the cell-forming tissues of the bone marrow, with resultant elevation of the erythrocyte count and hemoglobin level, and an increase in the number of leukocytes and platelets. Called also polycythemia vera.

Secondary polycythemia is a physiological condition resulting from a decreased oxygen supply to the tissues, caused by living at high altitudes, heart disease, circulatory insufficiency or severe pulmonary disease, or the production of erythropoietin or erythropoietin-like compounds, as in polycystic kidney disease, hydronephrosis or renal neoplasms.

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absolute polycythemia

an increase in total hemoglobin and red cell mass with a normal plasma volume. May be a primary or secondary polycythemia.

compensatory polycythemia

a secondary polycythemia, occurring in response to impairment of oxygenation.

familial polycythemia

occurs as an autosomal recessive trait in Jersey cattle. See primary polycythemia (above).

inherited polycythemia

an inherited defect of cattle. Clinically there is dyspnea.

relative polycythemia

apparent polycythemia resulting from loss of plasma and the hemoconcentration that follows. Called also spurious polycythemia.

polycythemia vera

see primary polycythemia (above).