Cardiac Manifestations in Adult Sickle Cell Disease Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Chhattisgarh, India

BACKGROUND Sickle cell disease is the commonest haemoglobinopathy. Recent advanced therapeutic approaches are enabling the sickle cell patients to survive beyond adulthood. METHODS The study provides important data on cardiovascular abnormalities in sickle cell disorder in Chhattisgarh by employing a non-invasive method of two-dimensional colour Doppler echocardiography. RESULTS The present study suggests that sickle cell disease has association with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and pulmonary artery hypertension and no association with other echocardiographic findings including left ventricular dimensions and functions. The association is further affected by the presence of moderate to severe anaemia (haemoglobin 19 mg / dL), creatinine (0.8 mg / dL) and diastolic blood pressures (< 69 mmHg). The age, gender and systolic blood pressures of the subject were not found to impact echocardiographic parameters. CONCLUSIONS The present study suggests that sickle cell disease affects left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and pulmonary artery hypertension but does not affect the other echocardiographic dimensions and functions. The association is further affected by the presence of moderate to severe anaemia, higher urea, creatinine and diastolic blood pressures. The age, gender and systolic blood pressure do not influence echocardiographic parameters. KEY WORDS Adult, Sickle Cell Disease, Echocardiography, Ventricular Function, Anaemia