Creatine and membrane sialic acid contents of erythrocytes in patients with heart valve prostheses.

The red cell damage induced by heart valve prostheses was investigated in 2 groups of patients with different heart valve replacements (mechanical or biological devices) by the determination of the creatine and membrane sialic acid contents in the erythrocytes. Red cell creatine did not increase, whereas sialic acid was lowered in both groups of patients, when compared with healthy controls. These findings were briefly discussed.