Partial exchange transfusion in a patient with homozygous sickle cell disease undergoing heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass: a case report

In patients with sickle cell anemia, the extracorporeal circulation circuit promotes the polymerization of hemoglobin and sickle cell formation. Exchange transfusion reduces circulating levels of hemoglobin S. We report the management of a child with homozygous sickle cell anemia who required surgical closure of atrial septal defect. Partial intraoperative exchange transfusion was performed that decreased hemoglobin S levels from 89% to 23%. Cardiopulmonary bypass was conducted at normothermia with cold blood cardioplegia and the surgical procedure was performed in sinus arrest