Iron-chelating therapy for transfusional iron overload
Gary M Brittenham, Gary M Brittenham
Abstract
A 16-year-old boy with sickle cell anemia undergoes routine screening with transcranial Doppler ultrasonography to assess the risk of stroke. This examination shows an abnormally elevated blood-flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery. The hemoglobin level is 7.2 g per deciliter, the reticulocyte count is 12.5%, and the fetal hemoglobin level is 8.0%. Long-term treatment with red-cell transfusion is initiated to prevent stroke. A hematologist recommends prophylactic iron-chelating therapy.
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Source: PubMed