Microangiopathic Haemolytic Anaemia: the Experimental Production of Haemolysis and Red‐Cell Fragmentation by Defibrination <i>in Vivo</i>

Summary. In rabbits transient haemoglobinaemia accompanied rapid defibrination produced by the purified coagulant fraction of the venom of the Malayan pit‐viper, Agkistrodon rhodostoma. The degree of haemoglobinaemia was dependent upon the rate of defibrination.Inhibition of fibrinolysis resulted in the persistence of the haemoglobinaemia after venom defibrination. Irradiation to produce thrombocytopenia or anticoagulation enabled these rabbits to survive more rapid rates of defibrination and resulted in prolonged haemoglobinaemia (due to continuing haemolysis) and the appearance of fragmented red cells.Haemoglobinaemia was associated with the occurrence and persistence of a network of loose fibrin to which red cells were adherent both free in the circulation and fixed in blood vessels.It is suggested that haemolysis and red‐cell fragmentation result from the interaction of red cells with porous fibrin thrombi, and that this interaction occurs in human disease and is the causal mechanism of microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia.

Microangiopathic Haemolytic Anaemia: the Experimental Production of Haemolysis and Red‐Cell Fragmentation by Defibrination in Vivo Journal Articles