[Severe hemolytic anemia following purse-string valvuloplasty of the mitral valve].

A patient who had undergone valvuloplasty for mitral insufficiency due to chordal rupture developed severe hemolytic anemia a few weeks after surgery. Progressive mitral regurgitation was noted at the same time. Extensive laboratory workup excluded other reasons for hemolytic anemia. In comparison with other cases in the literature it is assumed that the patient was suffering from cardiogenic mechanical hemolysis. Fourteen months later mitral valve replacement (St Jude) was performed and the hemolysis ceased promptly. A brief review of the literature is presented.