Open heart surgery in an infant with hereditary spherocytosis and a review of literature.

Hemolytic anemia often challenges congenital heart surgery. Hereditary spherocytosis is a rare familial hemolytic anemia. When associated with congenital heart disease, the safe performance of cardiopulmonary bypass becomes a priority. The increased risk of hemolysis during cardiopulmonary bypass could potentially lead to significant secondary organ damage. Till now, only very few reports of successful repair of a congenital heart defect in patients with hereditary spherocytosis have been reported. We report the only case of successful repair of a congenital heart defect in an infant with hereditary spherocytosis.