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90% of Sickle Cell patients receive at least one blood transfusion in their lifetime. These blood transfusions not only help to maintain proper hemoglobin levels, but also to prevent stroke, one of the most common complications of the disease. By keeping the hemoglobin S percentage (%HbS) below 30%, the risk of recurring stroke decreases by ~40% upon chronic RBC transfusions. Therefore, proper quantification of %HbS in the blood is crucial for prevention of excessive transfusions that can increase the risk for complications including alloimmmunization, hemolytic reactions, and iron overload. With potential for such detrimental consequences, monitoring of HbS concentration is key when considering transfusion for a Sickle Cell patient.

How you can benefit from Hemo SCAN®-S:

 

 

 

  • Blood banks

    • Quickly identify eligible donors

 

  • Primary care

    • Get results when the patient is still present

 

  • Hospital care

    • Easy and constant monitoring 

 

  • Pediatric care

    • The small amount of blood sample required minimizes trauma to young patients

 

  • Blood management 

    • High level quality control from collection to transfusion

 

WHAT IS SICKLE CELL DISEASE?

Normal Red Blood Cell

Sickle Red Blood Cell

Sickle Cell Disease, an inherited blood disorder, often causes red blood cells (RBCs) to become sickle-shaped through the presence of the abnormal hemoglobin S variant. Highly rigid sickle-shaped blood may have difficulty passing through small blood vessels, blocking the normal blood flow, damaging tissues, and ultimately leading to many of the complications of Sickle Cell Disease. Additionally, RBCs containing mostly hemoglobin S live only about 16 days compared to 120 days for normal red blood cells. To lower the level of sickle RBCs and to increase that of normal RBCs, transfusion is a key treatment for many sickle cell patients.

Sickle red blood cells causing blockage in blood vessels 

WHY IS HEMOGLOBIN S QUANTIFICATION IMPORTANT?

BENEFITS OF TRANSFUSION THERAPY

RISKS OF EXCESSIVE TRANSFUSIONS

  • Allows more hemoglobin to deliver oxygen: prevents acute chest syndrome (pneumonia), and brain damage

  • Prevents blockage in blood vessels: decreases pain and prevents strokes

  • Decreases the need to produce more RBCs: transfused RBCs live longer in the body than sickle RBCs

  • Iron Overload: Iron from transfused RBCs can remain in the body, which builds up and can cause major damage to the heart, liver and other organs. 

  • Transfusion Reactions: the body's immune system may react to the transfused blood. Reactions may include: rash, itching, pain, chills, fever and shortness of breath.

  • Transmission of Diseases: though the likelihood of infection through transfusion is very low, frequent transfusions increase the risk.

WIDE RANGE OF APPLICATIONS

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