SEVERE HEMOLYSIS DUE TO ARTIFICIAL CHORDAE DISPLACEMENT

Hemolytic anemia is a well-recognized complication of mechanical heart valve prosthesis but, as yet, has not been reported after mitral valv e repair with chordal replacement. We report a case of severe hemolyti c anemia after mitral valve repair with chordal replacement and Carpen tier-Edwards annuloplasty ring insertion. Progressive prolapse of the anterior leaflet due to the artificial chordae being too long caused r ecurrent regurgitation which was responsible for the hemolysis. The pa tient also had idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, but successful sec ond mitral valve repair was performed after high-dose gamma-globulin t herapy.