PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - S Holt
AU  - N Kirkham
TI  - Cytomegalovirus-induced haemolytic anaemia after cardiac surgery.
AID  - 10.1136/thx.31.6.786
DP  - 1976 Dec 01
TA  - Thorax
PG  - 786--788
VI  - 31
IP  - 6
4099  - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/31/6/786.short
4100  - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/31/6/786.full
SO  - Thorax1976 Dec 01; 31
AB  - A patient, who underwent aortic valve replacement, developed a transient, autoimmune haemolytic anaemia in association with a significant rise in titre of antibodies against cytomegalovirus. A serological survey of blood donors indicated that the source of infection was fresh blood transfused during and shortly after surgery. A number of cases of short-lived haemolytic anaemia after large volume blood transfusion with cardiac surgery may be explained by this mechanism. It may be preferable to use only blood that has been screened for evidence of recent cytomegalovirus infection if post-perfusion complications of this disease are to be avoided.