[Iron deficiency following implantation of a heart valve prosthesis]

In 44 patients with single or multiple valvular protheses of the heart, the problem of secondary iron deficiency due to mechanical hemolysis was investigated. In 17 cases, elevated serum transferrin values were noted, compared to elevated serum iron levels in only 6 cases. Therefore, treatment should be based on the more reliable transferrin values. Severity and duration of mechanical hemolysis did not seem to be correlated with the occurrence or the degree of iron deficiency.