Hemolysis is combination of haem – iron containing compound hemoglobin and lysis – breaking down.
Hemolysis is the destruction of red blood cells. Red blood cells have the important mission of carrying oxygen from your lungs to your heart and throughout your entire body. Your bone marrow is responsible for making these red blood cells.
If destruction of red blood cells is more than the production of these cells by bone marrow, hemolytic anemia occurs. Hemolytic anemia is the term used to refer to anemia caused by the excess destruction of red blood cells.
Normal red blood cells (erythrocytes) have a lifespan of about 120 days. After they die they break down and are removed from the circulation by the spleen.
Hemolysis may occur in vivo or in vitro (inside or outside the body).
➲Vivo hemolysis may occur as a result of taking certain medications, this breakdown of red blood cells is increased. Medications that have been associated with hemolysis include acetaminophen, penicillin, and other pain medications.
➲In case of vitro hemolysis, red blood cells may break down due to mechanical damage, such as from artificial heart valves or heart-lung bypass, from mechanical blood processing during surgery etc.
