The Platelet Count and its Implications in Sickle Cell Disease Patients Admitted for Intensive Care.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In sickle cell disease (SCD) patients admitted for intensive care, evaluation of platelet counts in different types of sickle cell complications and its prognostic relevance are not well-studied. Illuminating these aspects were the objectives of this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A chart review of 136 adult SCD patients consecutively admitted to our Intensive Care Unit (ICU) was done. The prognosis on day 1 was assessed by Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) and multiple organ dysfunction scores (MODS). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves evaluated the ability of platelet counts, MODS, and APACHE II scores to predict survival. RESULTS: The most common types of crises were severe pain (n = 53), acute chest syndrome (n = 40), and infection (n = 18); 17 patients were nonsurvivors. Platelet counts varied widely (range, 19-838 × 109/L) with thrombocytopenia (n = 30) and thrombocytosis (n = 11). Counts correlated directly with leukocytes and reticulocytes; inversely with lactate dehydrogenase, APACHE, and MODS scores. Areas under ROC curve for platelets, MODS, and APACHE scores to predict survival were 0.73, 0.85, and 0.93, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In severe sickle cell crisis thrombocytopenia is more common than thrombocytosis. In the ICU, day 1 platelet counts correlate inversely with prognostic scores and are significantly reduced in multi-organ failure and nonsurvivors. A platelet count above 175 × 109/L predicts patient survival with high specificity and positive predictive value but lacks sensitivity.

Treatment and outcomes of patients with light chain amyloidosis who received a second line of therapy post autologous stem cell transplantation.

We retrospectively reviewed 292 patients who received a second line of therapy post ASCT for their light chain amyloidosis. Most patients (40%) were treated with an alkylator + PI ± dex or PI ± dex followed by an alkylator + 2nd-gen IMiD ± dex or 2nd-gen IMiD ± dex (26%), an alkylator ± steroid or steroid monotherapy (19%), a 2nd-gen IMiD + PI ± dex (6%), an alkylator + thalidomide ± dex (5%), or daratumumab-based therapy (4%). The rate of CR or VGPR was 70% among the daratumumab-based group, 62% in the alkylator + PI ± dex or PI ± dex group, 55% in the alkylator + 2nd-gen IMiD ± dex or 2nd-gen IMiD ± dex group, 47% in the 2nd-gen IMiD + PI ± dex group, 24% in the alkylator ± steroid or steroid monotherapy group, and 18% in the alkylator + thalidomide ± dex group. The median OS was NR for the 2nd-gen IMiD + PI ± dex group and the daratumumab group, 130.4 months in the alkylator + 2nd-gen IMiD ± dex or 2nd-gen IMiD ± dex group, 100 months for the alkylator + PI ± dex or PI ± dex group, 36 months for the alkylator ± steroid or steroid monotherapy group, and 21 months for the alkylator + thalidomide ± dex group (P < 0.0001). The median OS was 100 months in patients who received melphalan 200 mg/m2 compared to 41 months in the 140 mg/m2 group (P < 0.0001). In conclusion, patients receiving novel therapy post ASCT and melphalan conditioning dosing at 200 mg/m2 at diagnosis had better outcomes.

Stuttering priapism in a patient with sickle cell trait treated with automated red cell exchange transfusion.

Sickle cell trait (SCT) is typically an asymptomatic carrier state, but sickling complications can occur under extreme conditions. Priapism is known to be associated with sickle cell disease (SCD); The link with SCT is less well established. We report the case of a 19-year-old man with SCT presenting with prolonged priapism and a refractory, stuttering course requiring multiple invasive procedures over a 5-day period with no clear alternative triggers. In light of ongoing, stuttering priapism, he underwent red blood cell (RBC) exchange transfusion with decrease of hemoglobin S from 45.8% to 11.7%. This was followed by immediate and sustained cessation of stuttering priapism, with no further episodes at 5 months. Multiple cases of priapism associated with SCT have been reported in the literature. In most cases invasive interventions were required but RBC exchange was not attempted. RBC exchange has been reported in 2 people with exertional rhabdomyolysis in the context of SCT, with improvement in 1 case. In patients with SCT and priapism, conservative measures are used to treat brief episodes, but invasive management is required for persistent or prolonged episodes. RBC exchange transfusion may be considered for treatment of refractory, stuttering priapism in individuals with SCT.