What are the criteria for hemolysis (breakdown of red blood cells)?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: May 4, 2025View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

From the Guidelines

Los criterios de hemolisis se definen como un descenso rápido de la hemoglobina por debajo del nivel pretransfusional y un descenso rápido del nivel de HbA posttransfusional, y su reconocimiento es crucial para evitar transfusiones adicionales y prevenir la insuficiencia multiorgánica y la muerte. La hemolisis puede ser causada por various factores, incluyendo la presencia de anticuerpos contra los glóbulos rojos, la enfermedad de células falciformes, la anemia hemolítica autoinmune, entre otros 1.

Algunos de los criterios para identificar la hemolisis incluyen:

  • Un descenso significativo en la hemoglobina dentro de los 21 días posteriores a la transfusión
  • La presencia de nuevos anticuerpos contra los glóbulos rojos
  • Hemoglobinuria
  • Un aumento acelerado en el porcentaje de HbS con un descenso concomitante en el nivel de HbA posttransfusional
  • Reticulocitopenia o reticulocitosis relativa desde el nivel basal
  • Un aumento significativo en la lactato deshidrogenasa (LDH) desde el nivel basal
  • Exclusión de una causa alternativa 1.

Es importante destacar que la hemolisis puede ser tratada con terapias inmunosupresoras, como la inmunoglobulina intravenosa (IVIg) y los esteroides de alta dosis, y que la evitación de transfusiones adicionales es recomendada a menos que el paciente esté experimentando anemia amenazante para la vida con hemolisis en curso 1.

En cuanto a la evaluación y el trabajo de la hemolisis, se recomienda realizar una historia y examen físico completo, así como pruebas de laboratorio que incluyan hemograma completo, LDH, haptoglobina, bilirrubina, recuento de reticulocitos y hemoglobina libre 1.

En resumen, la identificación y el tratamiento oportunos de la hemolisis son fundamentales para prevenir complicaciones graves y mejorar la calidad de vida de los pacientes.

From the Research

Criterios de Hemolisis

Los criterios para diagnosticar hemolisis incluyen:

  • Reticulocitosis 2, 3, 4
  • Aumento de lactato deshidrogenasa (LDH) 2, 3, 4
  • Aumento de bilirrubina no conjugada 2, 3, 4
  • Disminución de haptoglobina 2, 3, 4
  • Resultados positivos de la prueba de Coombs directa en casos de hemolisis inmune 5, 4
  • Anomalías en la morfología de los glóbulos rojos en la lámina de sangre periférica 3, 4

Tipos de Hemolisis

La hemolisis puede ser clasificada en:

  • Hemolisis intravascular 2, 3
  • Hemolisis extravascular 2, 3
  • Causas inmunes, como la anemia hemolítica autoinmune 5, 4
  • Causas no inmunes, como las hemoglobinopatías y las microangiopatías 2, 3, 4

Importancia del Diagnóstico

Es importante considerar la hemolisis como un diagnóstico diferencial en cualquier caso de anemia normocítica o macrocítica 3, 4. La detección y el manejo temprano de la hemolisis pueden mejorar el resultado del paciente 4. La evaluación de la hemolisis requiere una combinación de pruebas de laboratorio y una cuidadosa interpretación de los resultados 6.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

Hemolytic anemia.

American family physician, 2004

Research

Hemolytic Anemia: Evaluation and Differential Diagnosis.

American family physician, 2018

Research

[Autoimmune hemolytic anemia with normal serum lactate dehydrogenase level].

[Rinsho ketsueki] The Japanese journal of clinical hematology, 2015

Research

The chemical and laboratory investigation of hemolysis.

Advances in clinical chemistry, 2019

Related Questions

What is the most appropriate initial treatment for a patient with hemolytic anemia, spherocytosis, elevated Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), and low haptoglobin?
What is the appropriate diagnostic and treatment approach for a patient with laboratory evidence of hemolysis, including low haptoglobin, elevated lactate dehydrogenase, and borderline low hemoglobin?
An 8-year-old girl, with a height and weight in the 10th percentile, presents with severe eye pain, scleral icterus, hepatomegaly, fever, tachycardia, and hypotension, along with laboratory findings of decreased haptoglobin and hemoglobin, what is the most likely diagnosis given her symptoms and lab results?
What is the best medication for a patient with hemolytic anemia, characterized by severe anemia (Hb: 68), elevated reticulocytes (4%), low haptoglobin, and high lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), who developed fatigue, abdominal pain, and jaundice after 3 days of hospital admission?
What is the initial workup and management for suspected hemolysis?
Should patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) due to a reversible cause receive long-term anticoagulation therapy?
What are the next steps for a 60-year-old male with unstable angina and a non-diagnostic exercise stress test?
What is the appropriate fluid restriction for a patient with Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion (SIADH) at admission?
What causes the enhancement seen on Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) when contrast agent is used?
What is the treatment for deep cerebral venous thrombosis associated with right perimesencephalic cerebral venous ischemia?
What are the symptoms and diagnostic workup for Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.