• Paul D Stein, Afzal Beemath, Frederick A Meyers, Elias Skaf, and Ronald E Olson.
• St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital, Pontiac, Mich 48341-5023, USA. steinp@trinity-health.org
• Am. J. Med. 2006 Oct 1; 119 (10): 897.e7897.e7-11.

BackgroundAs would be expected with a hypercoagulable state, pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs in sickle cell disease (SCD). Its frequency, however, is undetermined, largely because of difficulties in distinguishing it from thrombosis in situ. The prevalence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is also undetermined in patients with SCD. Knowing the prevalence of DVT would be an important step in the overall assessment of the risk of PE in these patients.MethodsData from the National Hospital Discharge Survey were assessed.ResultsIn patients ConclusionThe high prevalence of apparent PE in patients with SCD, compared with non-SCD African-American patients of the same age and the comparable prevalence of DVT in both groups are compatible with the concept that thrombosis in situ might be present in many. On the other hand, the data suggest that PE is not rare in patients with SCD. This suggests that PE might be an etiologic factor in patients with SCD who develop respiratory symptoms. In such patients, an imaging procedure might be appropriate.

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