Introduction

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a rare condition in which the body’s red blood cells (RBCs) are destroyed by RBC autoantibodies and complement. The diagnosis is characterized by markers of hemolysis and a positive direct antiglobulin test, which identifies antibodies or complement on the patient’s RBCs. When these patients require blood transfusion, selection of blood can be difficult, as autoantibodies complicate pretransfusion testing [1]. We present a case of a patient with AIHA undergoing primary joint arthroplasty complicated by bleeding. The institutional review board at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital does not require formal approval for de-identified case reports. A signed informed consent form was obtained from the patient allowing use of pertinent medical history.