title: Haemolysis: the harbinger of recurrent mitral regurgitation after mitral valve repair.
abstract: We present a case of severe haemolysis post mitral valve repair that presented within the first week of operation. Despite assurance of a good repair, with initial postoperative echocardiographic evidence, the patient subsequently developed haemolysis and required forty units of blood over three months. We emphasize that an unexplained anaemia post mitral valve repair should trigger suspicion for mechanical haemolysis and suggest disease progression or failure of repair.
authors.affiliation: 1Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: J X
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Hing
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Macys
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Elshiekh
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Momin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koertzen
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Punjabi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006461:Hemolysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: anaemia; chordal rupture; haemolysis; mitral regurgitation; mitral valve repair; valvular disease