Low-molecular-weight heparin can be used safely and effectively to treat patients with proximal deep-vein thrombosis at home.

Summary.A 26-year-old woman, diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, was treated with CHOP (cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunomycin, oncovin, prednisone), rituximab and radiotherapy. She developed transfusiondependant anaemia, which persisted following chemotherapy. Bone marrow aspirate and biopsy were consistent with pure red cell aplasia and parvovirus infection. Serology was negative for previous or acute infection but parvovirus DNA was detected by polymerase chain reaction. Administration of intravenous immunoglobulin (1 g/kg) resulted in reticulocytosis and recovery of her haemoglobin. We hypothesize that rituximab caused depletion of her normal B cells, resulting in an inability to mount a primary immune response to parvovirus infection.

The likelihood of a postoperative blood transfusion can be predicted by using this simple point score system. Autologous blood donation can subsequently be targeted to the high-risk patients.

Hemoglobin Barts hydrops fetalis (homozygous a 0 -thalassemia) results from deletion of all 4 a-globin genes.1 It was previously considered a universally fatal condition; however, with recent advances in prenatal care and the availability of intrauterine blood transfusions, an increasing number of patients are now surviving into adulthood.