Deep Venous Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism in Hospitalized Patients with Sickle Cell Disease

Hypercoagulability and thrombotic complications in hemolytic anemias

“…1 In addition to increased thrombin and fibrin generation, increased tissue factor activity, and increased platelet activation (Figure 1), patients with hemolytic anemias manifest thrombotic complications, including venous thromboembolism, in situ pulmonary thrombosis and stroke. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Furthermore, the risk of thromboembolic complications appears to be higher following splenectomy. 1,3,6 The mechanism of coagulation activation in hemolytic anemias is likely multifactorial.…”

Venous sinus thrombosis leading to stroke in a patient with sickle cell disease on hydroxyurea and high hemoglobin levels: Treatment with thrombolysis

“…Unlike the other reported cases our patient had not received transfusions; however, the high hemoglobin levels reached on hydroxyurea therapy may have played a role in the development of DVST and AVN. Patients with sickle cell trait and disease are increasingly reported to have high rates of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, respectively [17,18]. While we had no clinical evidence for any of these complications or laboratory evidence of hypercoagulability except for an elevated factor VIII level, this could not be excluded as a factor predisposing to DVST in our patient.…”

Pulmonary Complications of Sickle Cell Disease in the Pregnant Patient

“…In fact, one study reported that the rate of VTE in patients with SCD was close to that observed in those with hereditary thrombophilias [37]. In another study, upon evaluation of over 1.5 million SCD admissions between 1979 and 2003, it was found that these patients had a risk of PE approximately 3.5 times higher than their African American controls [38]. Similarly, a study which investigated the rates of PE in Pennsylvania from 2001 to 2006 found a 50 to 100-fold increase in rates of PE in the SCD population compared to the general population [39].…”