Haematological emergencies

Abstract

Some haematological conditions may present as emergencies in primary care. These require urgent intervention and clinical vigilance in order to diagnose and manage patients appropriately, as patients will often present with non-specific symptoms and signs. This article will discuss four major haematological presentations. We will consider the aetiology of each condition, how patients present in primary care, how to manage these presentations, and what patients are likely to experience when seen in secondary care.