[Severe hemolytic anemia after mitral valvuloplasty]

A patient with mitral insufficiency is described who developed severe hemolytic anemia six months after mitral valvuloplasty. Various laboratory tests suggested that the cause of the hemolysis was mechanical. A second heart operation was therefore performed which revealed intact valve function. In view of the mechanical cause of hemolysis a bioprosthesis was implanted but the patient died shortly after this operation. Since similar cases are not found in the literature the authors invite discussion of the course in this case.