This Article Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by BRODEUR, M. T. H. Articles by GRISWOLD, H. E. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by BRODEUR, M. T. H. Articles by GRISWOLD, H. E.

(Circulation. 1966;33:I-140.)
© 1966 American Heart Association, Inc.

---

Red Cell Survival in Patients with Mitral Valvular Disease and Mitral Valve Prostheses

MICHAEL T. H. BRODEUR M.D.C.M.¹; ROBERT D. KOLER M.D.¹; ALBERT STARR M.D.¹; HERBERT E. GRISWOLD M.D.¹

¹ From the Divisions of Cardiology and Experimental Medicine of the Department of Medicine and the Division of Cardiopulmonary Surgery of the Department of Surgery, University of Oregon Medical School, Portland, Oregon.

Red cell survival times were measured in patients with mitral valvular disease, mitral ball-valve prostheses, and multiple valve prostheses. Red cell survival was shortened in patients with mitral valvular disease but not in patients who had insertion of a normally functioning mitral prosthesis or after mitral commissurotomy.

Mean red cell survival was also reduced in patients who had normal mitral prostheses associated with aortic valvular disease and in patients with a leak around the mitral prosthesis.

Mean red cell survival was the same in patients with multiple prostheses and in patients with a single aortic prosthesis. If a leak developed around the mitral prosthesis in patients with multiple prostheses, hemolytic anemia could develop. Renal excretion of iron and iron deficiency were demonstrated in two patients with traumatic hemolytic anemia. The urinary iron loss apparently exceeds the capacity for intestinal absorption, and parenteral iron would seem to be indicated for replacement.