ACUTE CHEST SYNDROME

Course overview

ACUTE CHEST SYNDROME OCCURS DUE TO VASO-OCCLUSION WITHIN THE PULMONARY VASCULATURE OF PATIENTS WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE. THIS RESULTS IN DEOXYGENATION OF HEMOGLOBIN AND SICKLING OF ERYTHROCYTES, WHICH CAN THEN CAUSE FURTHER VASO-OCCLUSION, ISCHEMIA, AND ENDOTHELIAL INJURY. ACUTE CHEST SYNDROME CAN PROGRESS QUICKLY AND IS THE MOST COMMON CAUSE OF DEATH IN PATIENTS WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE ETIOLOGY, PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, EVALUATION, AND MANAGEMENT OF ACUTE CHEST SYNDROME AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM MEMBERS IN CARING FOR PATIENTS WITH THIS CONDITION.