Clinical & Experimental Cardiology
Open Access

Abstract

Cardiovascular System Abnormalities in Sickle Cell Anaemia: Clinical Findings in Steady State Adult Nigerian Patients

Oguanobi NI, Onwubere BJC, Ejim EC, Anisiuba BC, Ibegbulam OG and Ukekwe FI

Aim and objective: This study was aimed at examining the cardiovascular clinical features in steady state adult Nigerian sickle cell anaemia patients.

Method: The study subjects were drawn from adult patients (age ≥ 18 years), attending the adult sickle cell clinics who had haemoglobin genotype SS on haemoglobin electrophoresis and were in steady state. Age and sex matched normal subjects served as controls. All subjects were evaluated for symptomatology of cardiovascular disease with the aid of a questionnaire and then clinically examined to evaluate their cardiovascular status at rest.

Result: Significant increase in pulse rate was found in the study subjects (87.68 ± 8.91/minute) compared with the controls (72.13 ± 6.79/minute); {p < 0.05,}. The mean systolic blood pressure was comparable in the two groups. However the patients had significantly lower diastolic blood pressure, lower mean arterial blood pressure, as well as a higher pulse pressure than the control subjects. Abnormal physical findings found in the study group include loud pulmonary component of the second heart sound (83.3%), displaced cardiac apex (70.0%) and active precordium (43.3%) and radiologic evidence of cardiomegaly (cardiothoracic ratio {CTR} > 0.5) 86.67%.

Conclusion: The haemodynamic response to chronic anaemia in sickle cell anaemia results in significant cardiovascular dysfunction.