Pathophysiology of Common Hemolytic Syndromes

Abstract

With increased understanding of the inherited disorders of red cell metabolism, the physician can diagnose hemolytic anemia in a logical fashion. The pathophysiologic aspects of the major categories of hemolysis are discussed here, with attention focused on pyruvate kinase deficiency and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. The former is uncommon but highly instructive. The latter is extremely common and equally instructive, and must be carefully searched for in patients who may be the helpless victims of enthusiastic therapy.