RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Principles of blood transfusion in sickle cell anemia
JF Saudi Medical Journal
JO Saudi Med J
FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City
SP 1443
OP 1448
VO 23
IS 12
A1 Hussain H. Al-Saeed
A1 Ahmed H. Al-Salem
YR 2002
UL http://smj.org.sa/content/23/12/1443.abstract
AB Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is one of the commonly inherited hemoglobinopathies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is characterized by periods of remissions and exacerbations called crises as well as certain pathological phenomenon such as acute chest syndrome, priapism, hepatopathy, and cerebrovascular stroke. Blood transfusion (BT) as therapy and prophylaxis in SCA, although was advocated as early as the 1940's, there are still debates regarding its benefits and risks. This is a review of the value of BT in patients with SCA with emphasis on the risks and benefits as well as guidelines towards safe BT.