Left ventricular systolic function in sickle cell anemia: a meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Hematology
• Medical Research

Background:

• Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a genetic blood disorder.
• Potential impact of SCA on cardiac function requires evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess for left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction in patients with SCA.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of Medline, Embase, Ebscohost, and Google Scholar.
• Included studies comparing LV function measures (EF, FS, CI) between SCA patients and controls.
• Analyzed 19 studies with 841 SCA patients and 554 controls.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in LV ejection fraction (LVEF) or fractional shortening (FS) between SCA patients and controls.
• Cardiac index (CI) was higher, and LV end-systolic stress-volume index was lower in SCA patients.
• LV dimensions were larger in SCA patients and increased with age; all measures correlated inversely with age.

Conclusions:

• SCA patients exhibit normal load-dependent LV systolic function but reduced load-independent function.
• SCA is associated with LV dilation, which progresses with age.
• Age-dependent LV structural and functional abnormalities are observed in SCA.