What is Acute Blood Loss Anemia?
Acute blood loss anemia, also called hemorrhagic anemia, is specific type of anemia that sufficient decrease in red blood cells (RBC) due to acute hemorrhage (bleeding). Within the first 1-2 days of an acute major hemorrhage the patient suffers mainly from a blood volume depletion and from the effects of a decreased perfusion pressure in various tissues. If the hemorrhage becomes controlled an acute blood loss anemia develops. The average adult has a total blood volume of approximately 5,000 to 6,000 ml (milliliters) and can usually lose 500 ml of blood without serious or lasting effects; but, if the loss reaches 1,000 ml or more, serious acute consequences may result. If >30-40% of blood is lost, acute blood loss can lead to shock and even death and the hypovolemia that develops is not treated aggressively with IV fluids or compatible blood. Blood loss can be as a result of very heavy menstrual periods. Most women lose about 44 ml of blood per cycle, but some may lose considerably mor
