Predicting risk factors for thromboembolic complications in patients with sickle cell anaemia – lessons learned for prophylaxis

Objective To assess the clinical and laboratory predictors of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) and its relationship to morbidity and mortality. Methods This retrospective case–control study analysed data from patients with SCA that experienced VTE compared with matched control patients with SCA but no VTE (2:1 ratio). Results A total of 102 patients with SCA were enrolled (68 cases with VTE and 34 controls). Amongst the 68 cases (median age, 29.5 years), 26 (38.2%) presented with isolated pulmonary embolism (PE). A higher prevalence of splenectomy (73.5% versus 35.3%) was observed in the cases compared with the controls. A significantly higher prevalence of central venous catheter (CVC) insertion (42.6% versus 8.8%) was observed in the cases compared with the controls. High white blood cell counts, serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), bilirubin and C-reactive protein (CRP) and low haemoglobin (Hb) and HbF were significant risk factors for VTE. Forty-two cases (61.8%) developed acute chest syndrome, 10 (14.7%) had a stroke and seven (10.3%) died. Conclusions VTE in patients with SCA has a high impact on morbidity and mortality. PE was the leading presentation of VTE, with CVC insertion, high LDH, bilirubin, CRP and white blood cell counts along with low Hb and HbF constituting other significant risk factors.

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Association of Heart Rate With Coronary Risk Factors and Increased White Blood Cell Counts in Healthy Japanese People.

Journal of Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis ◽

10.5551/jat.10.259 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 259-263 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Takashi Hasegawa ◽

Hirotoshi Watase

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Heart Rate ◽

Blood Cell ◽

White Blood Cell ◽

Coronary Risk Factors ◽

Coronary Risk ◽

Japanese People ◽

Cell Counts ◽

Blood Cell Counts ◽

White Blood Cell Counts

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An Alternative Elastase-mediated Degradation of Fibrinogen and Fibrin Observed in a Patient with Herpes Simplex Encephalitis and Pneumonia

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1650550 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 76 (02) ◽

pp. 184-186 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Kenji lijima ◽

Fumiyo Murakami ◽

Yasushi Horie ◽

Katsumi Nakamura ◽

Shiro Ikawa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Herpes Simplex ◽

Blood Cell ◽

White Blood Cell ◽

Herpes Simplex Encephalitis ◽

Pmn Elastase ◽

Cell Counts ◽

Blood Cell Counts ◽

Sds Page ◽

White Blood Cell Counts ◽

Pmn Élastase

SummaryA 74-year-old female developed pneumonia following herpes simplex encephalitis. Her white blood cell counts reached 28,400/μl, about 90% of which consisted of granulocytes. The polymorphonuclear (PMN) elastase/α1-arantitrypsin complex levels increased and reached the maximum of 5,019 ng/ml, indicating the release of a large amount of elastase derived from the granulocytes. The mechanism of PMN elastase release was most likely to be granulocyte destruction associated with phagocytosis. The cleavage of fibrinogen and fibrin by PMN elastase, independent of plasmin, was indicated by the presence of the fragments in immunoprecipitated plasma from the patient corresponding to elastase-induced FDP D and DD fragments and the absence of fragments corresponding to plasmin-induced FDP D and DD fragments on SDS-PAGE. These findings suggested that the large amount of PMN elastase released from the excessive numbers of granulocytes in this patient with herpes simplex encephalitis and pneumonia, induced the cleavage of fibrinogen and fibrin without the participation of plasmin.

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