Open AccessEffect of Haematocrit on Left Ventricular Dimensions and Systolic Function in Children with Sickle Cell Anaemia: A Comparative Study
Author(s) -
Chika O. Duru,
Timipah Peregba West,
Josephat M Chinawa,
Olukemi Ige,
Fidelia BodeThomas
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
cardiology and angiology: an international journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2347-520X
DOI - 10.9734/ca/2021/v10i230167
Subject(s) - body surface area , cardiology , medicine , ventricular function , diastole , systole , fractional shortening , blood pressure
This was a comparative cross-sectional study where the left ventricular dimensions and functional parameters of 41 children (aged 1 to 18 years) with sickle cell anaemia were compared with those of 52 age-and-sex matched HbAA controls using transthoracic echocardiography. Majority of the left ventricular dimensions were significantly larger in the study group than the controls (p 0.05). Left ventricular dimensions correlated positively with age and body surface area in both groups (p<0.05) but inversely with haematocrit in the study group especially the left ventricular internal diameters in diastole and systole and left ventricular mass (p=0.001). Although 14.6% - 59.5% of the changes in cardiac dimensions were attributable to age, haematocrit level and body surface area in the study group (p<0.05), most of this effect was due to haematocrit.