Schistocytes

Fragmented parts of red blood cells on peripheral blood smear, typically irregular, helmet- or triangular-shaped, produced by intravascular mechanical destruction when RBCs are physically sheared while passing through damaged or narrowed blood vessels.

Causes

• Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia

  • Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)

  • Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)

  • Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)

• Mechanical heart valve

• Systemic causes

  • Malignant hypertension

  • Renal failure

  • Sepsis

  • Malignancy

  • Vasculitis

  • Severe vascular injury

  • Severe burns