Risk for Thrombosis in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease

Thrombosis is prevalent in sickle cell patients, especially following hospital discharge and in the presence of vascular access, and is potentially influenced by thrombomodulin gene mutations.

Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at risk for a broad range of acute and chronic complications, including arterial and venous thrombosis. Whereas risk for cerebral vascular accident (CVA) in SCD patients varies by a number of factors — including age, sickle cell genotype, hemoglobin F percentage, blood count parameters, and transfusion status — risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) are less established.

Now, investigators have retrospectively analyzed thrombosis incidence, risk factors, genetic associations, and therapy influences among 1193 SCD patients at an academic medical center. The median age of the patients was 24 years, 57% were female, and 55% were ever users of hydroxyurea.

Key findings included the following:

The …

Reviewing Author

Brady L. Stein, MD, MHS

Disclosures

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Hematology (Senior Editor, ASH Self-Assessment Program; guideline development)

Brady L. Stein, MD, MHS

Disclosures

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Hematology (Senior Editor, ASH Self-Assessment Program; guideline development)

Risk for Thrombosis in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease

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Reviewing Author