Recurrent Acute Chest Syndrome in a Case of Sickle Cell Disease with Aortic Valve Replacement

Acute chest syndrome (ACS) is a serious complication of sickle cell disease (SCD), characterized by vaso-occlusive crises affecting the lungs. This case report describes a patient with homozygous SS SCD who experienced recurrent episodes of ACS following an aortic valve replacement. The patient’s clinical course is suspected to be a complication of fluctuating international normalized ratio levels and coagulopathy, likely related to anticoagulation therapy required after valve replacement. These factors contributed to a challenging management scenario, balancing anticoagulation therapy and the recurrent vaso-occlusive events characteristic of SCD. This report highlights the complexities in managing patients with SCD who require anticoagulation and addresses the interplay between coagulopathy and the vaso-occlusive phenomena in this context.