Percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty in sickle cell anemia: A case report

Abstract

Percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty was performed on a 19-year-old female who had moderate pulmonary valve stenosis with sickle cell anemia. The patient developed sickle cell crisis resulting in occipital infarction, but she made a good recovery. We describe this case and the methods of reducing the risk of sickle cell crisis.

Irreversible Loss of Vision in a Child due to Occipital Infarction after Gastroenteritis

“…Sickling crisis [ 5 , 8 ] or thrombogenic risk factors (coagulation disorders) [ 4 ] can predispose children to cerebral infarcts, especially with a precipitating cause (surgical intervention, blood loss or viral illness like gastroenteritis). Management strategies include immediate hydration, correction of electrolyte imbalance, reversal of anemia, control of body temperature, oxygen administration (in case of hypoxia) and the administration of corticosteroid to decrease coexistent brain edemas from infarction.…”

“…It has been estimated that visual processing areas occupy more than half of the total surface of the primate neocortex [ 1 ]. Acute profound loss of vision from occipital infarct is a devastating event to the patient and family [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Despite significant medical progress over the past several decades, cortical blindness can still affect patients of various ages due to what is believed to be a relatively benign illness.…”