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Hemolysis - Overview

Definition of Hemolysis:

Hemolysis is the breakdown of red blood cells.

See also: Hemolytic anemia

Information:

Red blood cells normally live for 110 - 120 days. After that, they die and break down.

Some diseases and processes cause red blood cells to break down too early. The result is a lot fewer red blood cells to carry oxygen.

Conditions that can cause hemolysis include immune reactions, toxins and poisons, and treatments such as hemodialysis or the use of the heart-lung bypass machine.

  • Reviewed last on: 2/26/2007
  • William Matsui, MD, Assistant Professor of Oncology, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

References

Hoffman R, Benz Jr. EJ, Shattil SJ, et al. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 4th ed. Philladelphia, Pa: Churchill Livingston; 2005.

Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2004.