• ROLE OF TCD IN SICKLE CELL DISEASE: OLDER AND NEW CONCEPTS

    V. Zetola
    Federal University of Parana – Curitiba, Brazil

    Stroke is an important complication of sickle cell disease. Approximately twenty-four percent of patients have a stroke by the age of 45 years. Blood transfusions decrease stroke risk in patients deemed high risk by transcranial Doppler (TCD) by evidence of elevated intracranial internal carotid or middle cerebral artery velocity. A follow-up of neurologically symptomatic and asymptomatic sickle cell patients increased other factors were significant in the identification of patients at risk that could include: velocity in the ophthalmic artery > that of the ipsilateral MCA, maximum velocity in the posterior cerebral (PCA), vertebral, or basilar arteries > maximum velocity in the MCA, turbulence, PCA visualized without the MCA.