Background: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a formidable problem in India, and is more prevalent in Maharashtra. Cardiovascular events and complications are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in patients with SCA. The aim of this study was to determine the issue Doppler Imaging (TDI) changes in left ventricular function in children suffering from SCA. Methods and Results: This case controlled study comprised of 20 cases of SCA, and 20 nonanaemic controls with normal haemoglobin and electrophoresis pattern. Mmode, TwoDimensional, Doppler and Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) measurements of patients and controls were performed. In the study cases, age ranged from 5 years to 15 years with the mean age of 9.91 years. There were 12 males and 8 females in the study cases. Patients with SCA had significantly larger left atrial, and left ventricular dimensions. The ejection fraction and shortening fraction were lower in the cases, but the difference was not statistically significant. The LV tissue Doppler of the lateral annulus of mitral valve in SCD compared with control showed higher E’/A’ ratio and reduced S wave which was statistically insignificant (p > 0.05), similar finding were present at the level of interventricular septum and lateral annulus of tricuspid valve. Conclusions: TDI is a useful noninvasive technique to study the changes in cardiac structure and function. SCA in children results in a volumeoverloaded heart with a significant increase in left ventricular dimensions.

Keywords: Sickle Cell Anemia; Tissue Doppler Imaging; Ventricular Function.