Sickle cell haemoglobin (HbS) results from an autosomal recessively inherited mutation in which the 17th nucleotide of the beta globin gene is changed from thymine to adenine and the amino acid glutamic acid is replaced by valine at position 6 in the beta globin chain. [1, 2]Sickle cells have a reduced deformability and are easily destroyed, causing occlusion of the microcirculation and a chron...

BACKGROUND In patients with sickle cell trait or disease, reduced life expectancy and a tendency for complications are believed to negatively affect likelihood of survival after open heart surgery. The aim of this study was to review retrospectively the perioperative results of patients undergoing cardiac surgery at our institution. METHODS AND RESULTS Between January 1995 and December 2006, ...

Whilst the needs of individuals with sickle cell disorder (SCD) may be apparent, individuals with sickle cell trait (SCT) are generally reassured that their health will not be affected by their carrier status. Renal failure is a recognized complication of SCD; however, little is known concerning the relationship between SCT and the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this short arti...