Hemolysis following correction of double-outlet right ventricle.

A 41/2-year-old child developed a severe degree of intravascular hemolysis within 24 hours after intraventricular correction of double-outlet right ventricle with a Dacron patch. The child developed jaundice, with a serum bilirubin of 4.3 mg. per cent. The hematocrit value fell from 47 to 25 per cent and the reticulocyte count rose to 22 per cent. The hemolysis diminished after 3 weeks and completely disappeared after 6 weeks. We presume that the hemolysis was due to turbulence caused by a long, curved patch and that its disappearance coincided with the endothelialization of the patch. The child is well 3 years after the operation.