Normal red cells have a lifespan of 120 days, at which time they are destroyed primarily by the spleen. Hemolytic anemia is defined as the premature destruction of red cells either within the bloodstream or in organs such as the spleen. Since it takes several days for the marrow to upregulate production of red cells, sudden, massive hemolysis is life-threatening. Shear stress to circulating red cells. In severe cases this is followed by shock, DIC, hypotension, renal failure, and death.
Death can ensue from congestive heart failure.
Splenectomy is essentially curative. X-linked recessive inheritance. G6PD functions in glucose metabolism. Sickle cell anemia Autosomal recessive inheritance. Chronic hemolysis and painful crises result from small vessel occlusion and tissue ischemia.