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Published on: November 5, 2019
Cardiovascular changes in children with sickle cell crisis.
Richard Onalo1, Peter Cooper2, Antoinette Cilliers3
1Paediatric Cardiology Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria.
Severe sickle cell crisis significantly impacts children's cardiovascular health, causing increased heart rate, blood pressure, and higher risks of myocardial ischemia and pulmonary hypertension. These findings highlight the critical need for further research into these cardiovascular events for improved patient care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Hematology
- Cardiopulmonary Medicine
Background:
- Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is a genetic blood disorder.
- SCA crises are associated with serious cardiopulmonary complications.
- Pulmonary hypertension and myocardial ischemia are known SCA crisis complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cardiovascular changes during severe sickle cell crisis in children.
- To compare cardiopulmonary parameters in children with SCA during crisis versus steady state.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional comparative study of children (5-17 years) with SCA.
- Cases: children admitted during severe crisis; Controls: children in steady state.
- Assessment included ECG, cardiac biomarkers, echocardiography, and blood pressure measurements.
Main Results:
- Patients in crisis showed significantly higher heart rate and blood pressure than controls.
- Myocardial ischemia, conduction abnormalities, pulmonary hypertension, and ventricular dysfunction were more prevalent in the crisis group.
- Statistical significance (p < 0.0001) was observed for most parameters.
Conclusions:
- Sickle cell crisis leads to significant clinical, ECG, and echocardiographic changes in children.
- Cardiovascular derangements are common during severe SCA crises.
- Further research on these events can enhance the management of SCA patients.
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