Mechanical hemolytic anemia | |
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Specialty | Hematology |
Mechanical hemolytic anemia is a form of hemolytic anemia due to mechanically induced damage to red blood cells. Red blood cells, while flexible, may in some circumstances succumb to physical shear and compression.[1] This may result in hemoglobinuria. The damage is induced through repetitive mechanical motions such as prolonged marching (march hemoglobinuria) and marathon running.[2][3] Mechanical damage can also be induced through the chronic condition microangiopathic hemolytic anemia or due to prosthetic heart valves.[1]