[Severe hemolysis complicated by renal insufficiency in a patient with mitro-aortic bioprostheses and review of the literature].

The authors report a very rare case of massive haemolytic anaemia complicated by renal failure in a patient with a double aortic and mitral bioprosthesis. The haemolysis was attributed to degeneration of the aortic bioprosthesis causing turbulent flow, aggravated by associated infectious endocarditis. The essential condition for haemolysis is a change in blood flow through the valve by degeneration or other associated pathology. The haemolytic anaemia completely regressed after aortic valve replacement as did the renal failure.