Hydroxyurea or chronic exchange transfusions in patients with sickle cell disease: role of transcranial Doppler ultrasound in stroke prophylaxis

J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2009 Jan;31(1):42-4. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0b013e318190d707.

Abstract

Hydroxyurea is increasingly used in patients with sickle cell disease and acts by several underlying mechanisms. Its usage has been reported to eliminate transfusion needs in children with beta-thalassemia major. It has also been used in sickle cell disease patients on stroke prophylaxis with exchange transfusions who develop transfusional iron overload and is now being considered as a possible alternative to chronic transfusions for secondary stroke prophylaxis. Our case demonstrates a pitfall when using hydroxyurea without monitoring intracranial cerebral vessels for vasculopathic changes; presence of which can predict stroke risk and alert the need for chronic blood transfusions as primary stroke prophylaxis. Transcranial Doppler is a crucial investigation that can reveal elevated cerebral arterial flow velocities.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / diagnostic imaging
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / drug therapy*
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / physiopathology
  • Antisickling Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Blood Flow Velocity
  • Cerebral Arteries / physiopathology
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation
  • Child, Preschool
  • Exchange Transfusion, Whole Blood*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydroxyurea / therapeutic use*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Stroke / diagnostic imaging*
  • Stroke / physiopathology
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial*

Substances

  • Antisickling Agents
  • Hydroxyurea