Detection of Subclinical Cardiac Dysfunction in Patients With Sickle Cell Disease Using Speckle-Tracking...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Hematology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Sickle cell disease (SCD) is linked to chronic anemia and ischemia-reperfusion, potentially causing heart failure.
• The specific effects of SCD on cardiac structure and function are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate cardiac structural and functional differences in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) compared to healthy controls.
• To identify echocardiographic parameters affected by SCD.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of clinical and echocardiographic data from 66 patients with hemoglobin SS SCD (SCD-SS) and 28 healthy controls.
• Exclusion of patients with pre-existing heart conditions, diabetes, hypertension, or lung disease.
• Echocardiographic assessment included left atrial (LA) volume index, E/e', e', LA reservoir strain, LV volumes, LV global longitudinal strain, RV global longitudinal strain, tricuspid regurgitation velocity, and right atrial area.

Main Results:

• SCD-SS patients exhibited significantly higher LA volume index, LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes, and tricuspid regurgitation velocity compared to controls.
• Patients with SCD-SS showed reduced LA reservoir strain, LV global longitudinal strain, and RV global longitudinal strain.
• Lower hemoglobin and hematocrit levels correlated with increased LA volume index and LV volumes in SCD-SS patients.

Conclusions:

• Patients with SCD-SS demonstrate significant alterations in cardiac chamber size and impaired myocardial strain in the left ventricle, right ventricle, and left atrium.
• These echocardiographic findings highlight potential subclinical cardiac dysfunction in SCD.
• Further research is necessary to determine the clinical significance and prognostic implications of these cardiac changes in SCD.