Case Report Severe Mechanical Hemolysis Following Transcatheter Closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Severe mechanical hemolysis occurred after transcatheter occlusion of a patent ductus arteriosus by Rashkind's double umbrella technique. Hemolysis manifested itself by a drop the first day of the hematocrit from 35 to 30 percent (and later to 28 %), accompanied by reticulocytosis, fragmentation of errythrocytes, hemoglobinuria and jaundice. Multiple packed red blood cell transfusions were applied and hemolysis disappeared on the 33rd day of intervention. We think that progressive clot formation around the device may have smoothened the rough surface of the occluder and invasive intervention could thus have been avoided in such a complication.