Schistocyte

They are frequently a consequence of mechanical artificial heart valves, aortic stenosis, hemolytic uremic syndrome, and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, among other causes.

There is usually no change in deformability, but their lifespan is lower than that of a normal red blood cell (120 days).

[3] Schistocyte formation occurs as a result of mechanical destruction (fragmentation hemolysis) of a normal red blood cell.

A schistocyte count of <1% but greater than the normal value is suggestive of disseminated intravascular coagulation, but is not an absolute diagnosis.

The excess fibrin strands cause mechanical damage to the red blood cells resulting in schistocyte formation and also thrombocytopenia and consumption of clotting factors.

Red cells get trapped in the fibrin strands of the microthrombi and become sheared by the force of blood flow leading to schistocyte formation.

[8] Leaky prosthetic heart valves and other cardiac assisted devices can lead to microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (with schistocyte formation) and thrombocytopenia.

The force from the blood flow over the high pressure gradient from the prosthesis leads to fragmentation of red cells, and schistocyte formation.