Severe non-valve-related hemolytic anemia following aortic root replacement.
Aortic interposition grafting combined with aortic root replacement (conduit) is widely performed to manage thoracic aortic aneurysms. Intravascular hemolysis without clinical significance is occasionally observed as a complication after prosthetic valve replacement. Symptomatic lysis of red blood cells (RBCs) is rare and primarily attributed to mechanical damage as result of high shear stress, turbulent flow, and physical interaction. We report a case of severe hemolytic anemia shortly after mechanical conduit implantation. The RBC damage was not related to the valve prosthesis and resolved completely after replacement of a section of the kinked Dacron tube graft to correct a fold.
Stanger
Olaf
O
University Department of Cardiac Surgery, Salzburg Paracelsus Medical University, Müllner Hauptstrasse 48, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria. o.stanger@salk.at
Hammerer
Matthias
M
Datz
Lidwina
L
D000368:Aged; D000743:Anemia, Hemolytic / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001027:Aortography / Q000379:methods; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012086:Reoperation; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates