Study of Risk Factors for Vascular Events in Sickle Cell Disease Traced By Neuroimaging and Trans Cranial Doppler Changes

Abstract

Background : silent and overt stroke comprise10-20% of complication of sickle cell disease. There was great risk of morbidity and mortality, some time with neurocognitive dysfunctions

Objective: to identify the most important risk factor for neurologic events using MRI and TCD as aid for diagnosis.,

Methodology: descriptive study carried out over one year period in al-zahraa hospital .thirty patients with sickle cell disease enrolled. All test done as part of follow up, which include ,serum ferritin, blood count, MRI, and TCD. Data was analyzed by using SSPS version 18. 

Results: of total 30 patients enrolled, only one patient found to have overt stroke, two other with silent stroke
and 14 patient got abnormal TCD study. Most of CNS events found in patients with low hemoglobin (p value
0.015), low red blood counts (p value 0.001), and those with high hemoglobin S concentration. Blood transfusion
noticed to be protective against stroke.

Conclusion: risk of cerebral stroke was related to, severity of anemia ,high concentration of hemoglobin S

Recommendations: regular monitoring of cerebral blood flow by TCD and MRI decreased morbidity and
mortality, together with improvement in social, and conditional affairs of patients.