Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria: New Thoughts

I have tried to summarize some of the facts we know, and some questions we need to ask in a disease which, although it is not common, probably is not as rare as we once thought. Once the diagnosis is made, one must be very careful in tending to the patients, since there are instances in which they react much differently than would normal people--either by the hemolytic episode or with other complications. This is especially true with regard to surgery, which may be extremely dangerous in these patients. The post-operative course may be complicated by thrombosis, infections, and other forms of morbidity. Identification of these patients is important, simple, and relatively helpful in their care