title: Serial changes in coagulation and viscosity during sickle-cell crisis.
abstract: Coagulation activity and whole-blood viscosity were measured in the steady state, and serially during painful crisis, in eight patients with sickle-cell anaemia. Platelet and coagulation activation occurred in the steady state and became more pronounced early in crisis. Whole-blood viscosity increased during crisis in parallel with plasma fibrinogen. Similar changes were found in a parallel study of 20 patients with localized bacterial or viral infection who did not have sickle-cell anaemia. Reports of platelet activation, hypercoagulability, and hyperviscosity during painful crisis therefore reflect secondary changes arising from vascular stasis, precipitating infection, and an acute-phase protein reaction. Although secondary, these changes may contribute to vascular occlusion by an additive effect in vessels already partially occluded by sickled cells.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000097:blood*; D001777:Blood Coagulation; D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests; D001809:Blood Viscosity; D002648:Child; D003080:Cold Temperature; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D005340:Fibrinogen