Hemolytic crisis

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Hemolytic crisis occurs from the rapid destruction of large numbers of red blood cells (hemolysis). The destruction occurs much faster than the body can produce new red blood cells.

Hemolysis - acute

A hemolytic crisis causes acute (and often severe) anemia, because the body cannot make enough red blood cells to replace those that are destroyed. The part of red blood cells that carries oxygen (hemoglobin) is released into the bloodstream, which can lead to kidney damage.

There are many causes of hemolysis, including:

• A lack of certain enzymes inside red blood cells
• Autoimmune diseases
• Certain infections
• Defects in the hemoglobin molecules inside red blood cells
• Defects of the proteins that make up the internal framework of red blood cells
• Medication side effects
• Reactions to blood transfusions

Many of these conditions can lead to a hemolytic crisis.

Review Date: 01/31/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; and Yi-Bin Chen, MD, Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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