Team Tausha: The Consequences of Hemoysis and PNH

Consequences of Hemolysis and the Sequelae of PNH

Chronic Hemolysis Is the Underlying Cause of Morbidity and Mortality Associated With PNH1

The consequences of hemolysis in PNH can be sudden and potentially fatal.2-4

The consequences include1:

• Venous thrombosis, resulting in pulmonary embolism (PE) or deep vein thrombosis (DVT); cerebral, dermal, or hepatic/portal thrombosis; and abdominal ischemia
• Arterial thrombosis, resulting in stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), or myocardial infarction (MI)
• Chronic kidney disease (CKD) resulting in renal insufficiency, need for dialysis, or anemia
• End-organ damage to the brain, liver, gastrointestinal tract, or lungs
• Pulmonary hypertension, resulting in dyspnea or cardiac dysfunction
• Fatigue or impaired quality of life, including abdominal pain, dysphagia, poor physical functioning, or erectile dysfunction
• Anemia, resulting in hemosiderosis or the need for transfusions
• Although symptoms vary in manifestation and severity from one patient to another, the underlying cause of all symptoms is chronic hemolysis.3

1. Brodsky RA. Blood Rev. 2008;22:65-74. 2. Hill A, Richards S, Hillmen P. Br J Haematol. 2007;137:181-192. 3. Rachidi S, Musallam KM, Taher AT. Eur J Intern Med. 2010;21:260-267. 4. Rother RP, Bell L, Hillmen P, Gladwin MT. JAMA. 2005;293:1653-1662. 5. Hillmen P, Muus P, Dührsen U, et al. Blood. 2007;110:4123-4128. 6. Adams T, Fleischer D, Marino G, Rusnock E, Li L. Dig Dis Sci. 2002;47:58-64. 7. Hillmen P, Elebute M, Kelly R, et al. Am J Hematol. 2010;85:553-559. 8. Kelly R, Richards S, Hillmen P, Hill A. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2009;5:911-921