Schistocytes

Fragmented parts of red blood cells on peripheral smear, typically irregular, helmet- or triangular-shaped, produced by intravascular mechanical destruction when RBCs are physically sheared as they move through damaged or narrow blood vessels. Possible causes are microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura, Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation), mechanical heart valve, severe burns, malignant hypertension, renal failure, sepsis, and malignancy.