A CASE OF PROSTHETIC VALVE INDUCED HEMOLYTIC ANEMIA

Hemolytic anemia arising after cardiac valve replacement was first described in 1954 soon after corrective valvular surgery became possible. It results from erythrocyte shearing and fragmentation as the red cells traverse the turbulent flow through or around the prosthetic valve. Compensated hemolysis can occur with any type of valve prosthesis and can be detected in almost every patient depending on the type of prosthetic device. We report a case of hemolytic anemia in a patient with cardiac valve prostheses.