Editorial

Abstract

Among the many handicaps of patients with endocardial cushion defects (i. e. partial or complete defects of the AV canal) is the risk of developing hemolytic anemia postoperatively. Such anemia appears due to direct trauma to the red cells and occurs if a residual cleft remains in the mitral valve, and the resulting jet of mitral insufficiency impinges an exposed area of teflon used in the atrial septal repair. Hemosiderin appears in the urine and a secondary iron deficiency anemia may result. References are given to a total of 5 such cases described from 3 different cardiac centers.