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.

Background and Purpose: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is common in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Traditional risk factors such as central venous catheters, frequent hospitalization, orthopedic surgeries for avascular necrosis, and pregnancy often leads to an increased incidence of VTE in the SCD. In addition, SCD itself appears to be a hypercoagulable state with many SCD-specific factors such as genotype, splenectomy and thrombophilia modifying the risk of VTE. This study aims to assess the clinical and pathological characteristics of VTE amongst a cohort of patients with SCD at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital and determine its relation to morbidity and mortality. Methodology: In this retrospective case control study, medical details of all patients with SCD who developed thromboembolic complications over the past decade were retrieved from the hospital information system. SCD patients matched for age and gender (2:1 ratio) who did not have thromboembolic complications but had a thrombophilia screen performed served as controls. The study was approved by the local Medical Research and Ethics Committee. Results & Discussion: A total of 53 SCD patients were enrolled [34 cases, 19 controls] in this study. Amongst the 34 cases (mean age-30 yrs.), 18 had pulmonary embolism, eight had deep venous thrombosis, whereas, three each had cerebral venous thrombosis and portal venous thrombosis and one each had cerebral arterial thrombosis and VTE. A higher incidence of autosplenectomy(69.7% v/s 52.6%) and central venous catheters(42.4% v/s 5.3%) were significantly associated with thrombosis (p<0.05, Chi Square test). High LDH levels, WBC and Platelet counts were significant risk factors(p<0.05) for VTE. 21 patients [63.6%] amongst the cases developed acute chest syndrome, where 3[9%] had cerebrovascular accident. Mortality was seen in seven cases [21%]. Conclusions: The study shows that thromboembolic complications in SCD has a high impact on the morbidity and mortality. It confirms PE as the leading cause for VTE in SCD with asplenia, central venous catheter, high LDH, WBC and Platelet counts being significant risk factors. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.