Mechanical haemolytic anaemia assessed with four-dimensional flow cardiac magnetic resonance

Abstract

A 66-year-old woman developed marked haemolytic anaemia 2 years after total aortic arch replacement using a branched Dacron graft. Echocardiography confirmed bicuspid aortic valve stenosis. A four-dimensional flow magnetic resonance imaging revealed a jet flow arising from the aortic valve along with the vortex and turbulent flow inside the kinked prosthetic graft at the ascending aorta. She underwent a reoperation to replace the aortic valve and correct the kinking. The estimated energy loss after intervention was relieved to 2.9 mJ/cardiac cycle from 4.3 mJ/cardiac cycle before intervention. The patient's anaemia resolved immediately after the reoperation.