title: Acute myocardial infarction in sickle cell disease: a possible complication of hydroxyurea treatment.
abstract: We describe a 28-year-old man treated with hydroxyurea for sickle cell anemia, who was admitted to the University Hospital with an acute myocardial infarction. The patient had evolved high hematocrit values during his long-term hydroxyurea treatment, suggesting a correlation between a possible increment in blood viscosity and the coronary occlusion without previous lesions. Indeed, several studies associate vasocclusive episodes and severe clinical course with high viscosity. Although hydroxyurea is considered an effective therapeutic option for these patients, care should be taken to monitor hematocrit levels and possible complications. Hematocrit and hemoglobin values of above 30% and 10.5 g/dl in SS patients on hydroxyurea therapy should be avoided or closely monitored.
authors.affiliation: Hemocentro da UNICAMP, Campinas, Brazil. afattori@unicamp.br
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fattori
authors.forename: Robenílson Almeida
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: de Souza
authors.forename: Sara Terezinha Olalla
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Saad
authors.forename: Fernando Ferreira
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Costa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000986:Antisickling Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D001809:Blood Viscosity; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D000986:Antisickling Agents; D006454:Hemoglobins; D006918:Hydroxyurea