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Updated: Sep 27, 2026

Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload
Published on: March 14, 2017
Principles of blood transfusion in sickle cell anemia
Hussain H Al-Saeed1, Ahmed H Al-Salem
1Al-Jesh 31911, Qatif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Telalsaeedhha@hotmail.com
Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is one of the commonly inherited hemoglobinopathies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is characterized by periods of remissions and exacerbations called crises as well as certain pathological phenomenon such as acute chest syndrome, priapism, hepatopathy, and cerebrovascular stroke. Blood transfusion (BT) as therapy and prophylaxis in SCA, although was advocated as early as the 1940's, there are still debates regarding its benefits and risks. This is a review of the value of BT in patients with SCA with emphasis on the risks and benefits as well as guidelines towards safe BT.
Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is one of the commonly inherited hemoglobinopathies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is characterized by periods of remissions and exacerbations called crises as well as certain pathological phenomenon such as acute chest syndrome, priapism, hepatopathy, and cerebrovascular stroke. Blood transfusion (BT) as therapy and prophylaxis in SCA, although was advocated as early as the 1940's, there are still debates regarding its benefits and risks. This is a review of the value of BT in patients with SCA with emphasis on the risks and benefits as well as guidelines towards safe BT.
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