Clinical & Experimental Cardiology
Open Access
ISSN: 2155-9880
+44 1300 500008
ISSN: 2155-9880
+44 1300 500008
Akram Asbeutah, Adekile A D, Hassan M K, Al-Hinai M, Trad O and Farhan N J
Kuwait University, Kuwait
University of Basrah, Iraq
Royal Hospital, Oman
Tawam Hospital, United Arab Emirates
Basra Specialty Hospital, Basra, Iraq
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Clin Exp Cardiolog
Introduction: Transcranial Doppler (TCD) is used to identify patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) at risk for stroke. We have carried out TCD studies in patients from four countries in the Arabian Peninsula (Kuwait, Oman, Southern Iraq and UAE) to document the prevalence of abnormal TCD findings. Methods: The patients were recruited form outpatient clinics and studied in steady state. TCD was performed using standard equipment with experienced operators. Time-averaged mean of maximum velocity (TAMMV) was documented in the arteries of the circle of Willis. The hemoglobin (Hb) genotype was confirmed and the fetal Hb (HbF) level and complete blood counts were determined. Results: There were 415 patients in the study, aged 2 to 18 years (mean of 8.6�±3.5). None of the patients had abnormal TAMMV (i.e. >200 cm/sec), while only 13 (3.1%), all from Iraq had conditional values in the right middle cerebral artery (MCA) and 7 (1.7%) in the left MCA. There were no significant gender differences, and both the Hb genotype (SS, S�²0thal or SD) and the use of hydroxyurea did not show consistent influence on TAMMV. Total hemoglobin, reticulocyte count, serum bilirubin and HbF showed varying degrees of correlation with TAMMV in the different vessels. Conclusions: This study has demonstrated the rarity of abnormal TCD in SCD from the Arabian Peninsula. This might be related to the haplotype, elevated HbF or may represent a racial variation. The guidelines for TCD screening in this population need further studies and recommendations.