Hemolysis

Hemolysis is the rupture of red blood cells, releasing hemoglobin and other cellular contents into the surrounding fluid. It can occur in the body or in a collected blood sample.

Osmotic fragility: The susceptibility of red blood cells to rupture when exposed to solutions with lower solute concentration than their interiors. Water influx in hypotonic solutions is a direct route to red-cell swelling and rupture.
Hemolytic anemia: Anemia caused by red blood cells being destroyed faster than the body can replace them. It is the clinical condition that results when excessive in-body hemolysis lowers red-cell numbers.
Erythrophagocytosis: The engulfment and digestion of red blood cells by macrophages or other phagocytic cells. Cells can be removed intact by phagocytosis, unlike rupture with contents released into fluid.
Hereditary spherocytosis: An inherited red-cell membrane disorder that produces spherical cells prone to destruction, especially in the spleen. Membrane defects make red cells less deformable and promote their premature destruction.
Complement system: A network of immune proteins that marks pathogens and can form membrane-disrupting pores. Complement pores can rupture red cells during immune-mediated hemolysis.
Hemolytic transfusion reaction: A dangerous immune reaction in which transfused red blood cells are destroyed in the recipient. Incompatible transfusions can trigger rapid intravascular hemolysis.
Blood loss: The escape of blood from the circulatory system through injury, bleeding, or a medical procedure. Blood loss removes intact red cells from circulation rather than rupturing them in place.
G6PD deficiency: An inherited enzyme deficiency that reduces red cells’ ability to withstand oxidative stress. Oxidant exposures can precipitate episodic hemolysis in affected people.
Mechanical hemolysis: Red-cell rupture caused by physical forces such as shear, turbulence, or repeated impact. It isolates hemolysis caused by physical stress rather than immune or chemical attack.
Hemolysis index: A laboratory measure estimating free hemoglobin in a blood sample, often used to flag hemolysis. It helps laboratories detect sample hemolysis that may distort test results.

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