Aplastic anemia is a rare bone marrow failure (BMF) syndrome which has fatal consequences for patients if left undiagnosed. While early suspicious indicators, like pancytopenia, are enough to trigger an early tentative diagnosis, making the definitive diagnosis can be exceptionally challenging since all the immune-mediated BMF syndromes have overlapping clinical and biologic features. Even specialized clinicians struggle to identify patients quickly and accurately. 

This interactive course will provide you with strategies to better recognize patients who may be suffering from aplastic anemia.

Target Audience

This educational activity is intended for hematologists, hematologists/oncologists, physician associates, nurse practitioners, and other members of the health care team who are involved in the care of adult patients experiencing bone marrow failure syndromes.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, learners should be able to:

• Identify risks and benefits associated with management options for aplastic anemia.
• Determine etiology of aplastic anemia in a patient presenting with nonspecific symptoms of bone marrow failure.
• Select the appropriate management approach for patients with aplastic anemia, including those in special populations.

Learning Format

Test your skills with interactive cases developed by experts. Experts will guide you through specific cases to:

• Identify the Etiology of Aplastic Anemia in Patients With Nonspecific Symptoms of BMF (Section 1): This case explores patient presentation, highlighting key features, as well as overlapping pathophysiologic and diagnostic features. It highlights key clinical and family history elements for patients with aplastic anemia, as well as testing necessary in differential diagnosis to determine the etiology of the disease. Can you definitively diagnose aplastic anemia? Enroll to try this case.

• Recognize Risks and Benefits Associated With Management Options for Aplastic Anemia (Section 2): This case examines the treatment approaches for aplastic anemia, including immunosuppressant therapy (IST), hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), and supportive care. It explores appropriate patient selection based on etiology and other considerations (eg, severity of disease, patient age, etc). Which therapies are best for your patients? Learn more by enrolling in this course.

• Considerations for Special Populations (Section 3): Clinicians are going to encounter other patient scenarios in their clinic, specifically special populations (eg, patients who are pregnant, older patients, immunosuppressed patients, patients experiencing comorbidities). Two unique cases are presented for consideration: a Black male with PNH and a young pregnant female. How would these populations be managed differently? Find out in this module.