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The Cardiopulmonary Complications of Sickle Cell Disease
Ankit A Desai1, Roberto F Machado2, Robyn T Cohen3
1Department of Medicine, Indiana School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana University, 950 W. Walnut Street R2 Building, Room 466, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
Insights
Sickle cell disease (SCD) patients face significant risks from cardiopulmonary issues. This review details major acute and chronic heart and lung complications, highlighting their impact on mortality.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Pulmonology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic disorder causing significant illness and early death.
- Cardiopulmonary complications are a leading cause of mortality in SCD patients.
- Despite advances in disease-modifying therapies, these complications persist as critical challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of major cardiopulmonary complications in SCD.
- To synthesize current knowledge on acute and chronic heart and lung issues in this population.
- To inform clinical understanding and management strategies for SCD-related cardiopulmonary disease.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on SCD cardiopulmonary complications.
- Identification and categorization of key acute and chronic cardiopulmonary conditions.
- Analysis of the impact of these complications on morbidity and mortality.
Main Results:
- Key complications include acute chest syndrome, airway disease, and abnormal lung function.
- Nocturnal hypoxemia, sleep-disordered breathing, and pulmonary vascular disease are significant concerns.
- Sickle cell cardiomyopathy represents a major chronic cardiac complication.
Conclusions:
- Cardiopulmonary complications remain a critical determinant of survival in sickle cell disease.
- A thorough understanding of these diverse conditions is essential for effective patient management.
- Further research and targeted interventions are needed to mitigate cardiopulmonary risks in SCD.
Abstract:
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic hemoglobinopathy associated with extensive morbidity and early mortality. While there have been recent improvements in available disease-modifying therapies for SCD, cardiopulmonary complications remain a major risk factor for death in this population. We provide an overview of current knowledge regarding several of the major acute and chronic cardiopulmonary complications in SCD, including: acute chest syndrome, airway disease, lung function abnormalities, nocturnal hypoxemia and sleep disordered breathing, pulmonary vascular disease, and sickle cell cardiomyopathy.
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