MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Hemolysis

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Hemolysis

Contents of this page:
Definition Information	References

Definition

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.

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.

Update Date: 2/26/2007

Updated by: 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.

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