[Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: physiopathology and therapeutic management]

The authors study the pathophysiology and the therapy of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria according with the literature reviewed. They also refer to have studied seven cases with HPN, two of which were women and five men, between the ages of 26 and 76 years of age, with symptomatology that varied from moderate, chronic hemolytic anemia and acholuria, to severe pancytopenia with bleeding, infections, and requiring transfusions, antibiotics, corticosteroids, androgens and other supportive measures. Most of them had enlargement of the spleen and liver, especially during hemolytic crises.