The heart in sickle cell disease.
Cardiovascular abnormalities are often apparent in sickle cell disease, as in other chronic anaemias. Tissue oxygen extraction and cardiac output are increased, while the activated endothelium along with the sickling process and the vaso-occlusion of the small blood vessels strain further the cardiovascular system. Evidence for a specific myocardial lesion attributable to the sickle cell disease is ambiguous through different studies. This article attempts to review the literature about cardiac disease in sickle cell anaemia.
Tsironi
Maria
M
First Department of Internal Medicine, University of Athens, Medical School, Laiko Hospital, Athens, Greece. gpoyl@otenet.gr
Aessopos
Athanasios
A
D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002302:Cardiac Output; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002423:Cause of Death; D015897:Comorbidity; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006334:Heart Function Tests; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015996:Survival Rate