Pulmonary Complications of Sickle Cell Disease: A Narrative Clinical Review

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with vaso-occlusive episodes that affect different organs. Pulmonary involvement a major cause of morbidity and mortality in this patient population. We performed literature search the PubMed database for articles addressing SCD pulmonary diseases. Acute chest syndrome defined as new radiodensity on radiograph imaging history consistent disease. Management includes broad spectrum antibiotics, pain control, blood transfusions. Microvasculature infarcts lead to functional asplenia, which turn increases risk being infected encapsulated organisms. Universal vaccinations antibiotic prophylaxis play significant role decreasing from infections. Venous thromboembolism patients should be treated same manner general hypertension also mortality. The American Thoracic Society treatment modalities are based underlying etiology either directed at treating itself, using vasodilator medications if group 1, or long-term anticoagulation 4 (in terms etiology). Patients more likely suffer asthma comparison controls. Sleep disorders breathing considered unexplained nocturnal daytime hypoxemia, recurrentvaso-occlusive events. Lastly, utility function tests still needs established.