Left Ventricular Function in Sickle Cell Anemia

Abstract

There is controversy in the medical literature regarding the significance of sickle cell cardiomyopathy. Patients (14) with sickle cell anemia (age range 16-36 yr) were studied using simultaneous echocardiography and phonocardiography. The values of systolic time intervals and echocardiographic indices of left ventricular performance were similar to those reported for normal subjects and those with comparable degrees of anemia. A previous report of normal left ventricular function at rest in patients with sickle cell anemia is confirmed; concomitant heart disease should be considered in these patients when cardiac failure supervenes.