Iron Mediated Vascular Disease in Sickle Cell Anemia Patients

Sickle Cell Disease Clinical Trial

Official title: Iron-mediated Vascular Disease in Sickle Cell Disease.

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this research study is to determine the frequency and severity of iron overload in patients with Sickle Cell Anemia and its relationship to blood vessel function. The investigators hypothesize that intermittent transfusions that these patients receive during hospitalizations produces significant iron overload and impairs blood vessel relaxation.

Clinical Trial Description

Patients with sickle cell anemia often require blood transfusion as part of the treatment for their disease. Each teaspoon of transfused blood contains about 5 mg of iron and the levels of iron in sickle cell patients increase rapidly with each transfusion. While iron is necessary for many bodily functions, too much iron damages blood vessels, liver, hormone producing glands (pancreas, pituitary and thyroid) and the heart. It is important to know how iron damages blood vessels because most of the problems experienced by sickle cell anemia patients (stroke, kidney failure, pulmonary hypertension, heart disease) result from blood vessel damage. In this trial, iron in the liver, pancreas, and kidney will be measured noninvasively by MRI while vascular function will be measured by ultrasound and tissue Doppler. Patients will be recruited primarily from the greater Los Angeles area, although patients from greater distances will be allowed to participate. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Anemia, Sickle Cell
• Sickle Cell Disease
• Vascular Diseases

• NCT number: NCT01239901
• Study type: Observational
• Source: Children's Hospital Los Angeles
• Status: Completed
• Start date: December 2009
• Completion date: October 2018