Topic: Echocardiographic Evaluation of Left Ventricular Systolic and Diastolic Function in Nigerians with Sickle Cell Disease

Abstract

Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is chronic, inherited haemoglobin disorder, associated with chronic tissue ischemia which may adversely affect any organ system. Chronic anaemia in SCD results in cardiac chamber dilatation with compensatory increase in left ventricular mass and varying degree of diastolic dysfunction that has been a strong independent predictor of mortality in patients with SCD. There is paucity of echocardiographic studies on adults Nigerians with SCD. This study therefore, aimed to assess left ventricular systolic and diastolic function among sickle cell disease patients in Kano State, North-Western Nigeria. Methods: The study was cross-sectional and comparative conducted at the SCD clinic and Medical/outpatient (MOP) clinic of Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital (MMSH), on eligible patients aged 13 years and above. One hundred patients with SCD (HbSS) were recruited as the study group while 100 non SCD (HbAA) patients, matched for age and sex served as controls. Left and right atrial and ventricular dimensions, left ventricular (LV) wall thickness, LV mass index and LV contractility variables were obtained. Parameters of LV diastolic function were also evaluated. Results: There were increases in the left atrial and left ventricular dimensions, left ventricular volumes and left ventricular mass (LVM) of the SCD patients. LV ejection fraction was equivalent, though there was evidence of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in up to 36%. Conclusion: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction may complicate cases adults with SCD.