The Nigerian postgraduate medical journal
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Niger Postgrad Med J · Dec 2010
Cardiovascular autonomic reflex function in sickle cell anaemia patients.
Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction (CAD) has been documented as part of neurological complications in sickle cell anaemia (SCA). There is little information on CAD from sub-Saharan Africa with 25-40% prevalence rate of sickle cell trait. This study therefore assessed cardiovascular autonomic reflex function in a group of Nigerians with SCA. ⋯ CAN occur in Nigerians with SCA with relative preservation of the sympathetic blood pressure reflex control compared to parasympathetic heart rate regulation. Increase baseline heart rate associated with SCA in the presence of chronic anaemia could result in myocardial hypertrophy and dilatation. This is likely to be predispose sicklers to hypoxia-related arrhythmia.