hemolysis

Introduction

Destruction, dissolution or lysis of erythrocytes such that hemoglobin is released into the medium in which the erythrocytes are suspended.

Laboratory

evaluation of hemolysis (in vivo)*

• peripheral smear
  • polychromatophilia
• reticulocyte count increased
• bone marrow biopsy shows erythroid hyperplasia
• serum chemistries
  • unconjugated bilirubin is increased
  • haptoglobin is decreased or absent
  • plasma hemoglobin
  • increased in intravascular hemolysis
  • increased or normal in extravascular hemolysis
  • lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is variable
• urine chemistries
  • urine bilirubin is absent
  • hemosiderin present with intravascular hemolysis
  • hemoglobin may be present with severe intravascular hemolysis

* hemolysis may also occur ex vivo

More general terms

• sign/symptom

More specific terms

• alpha-hemolysis
• beta-hemolysis
• gamma-hemolysis
• hemolytic anemia
• hemolytic transfusion reaction
• jaundice (icterus)

Additional terms

• erythrocyte; red blood cell (RBC)