Sickle Cell Trait

Incidence in USA: 3 million; 350 million in world

Race with highest prevalence: African Americans

Increased risk of complications following CABG.

Periop mortality rate in published cases of SA trait is 0.8%.

Some increased risk of CVA and pulm infection but not well quantified.

Increased risk of vasoocclusive phenomenon with hypoxia and stress.

Sudden death with stresses such as vigorous exercise make one worry because recovery from surgery may be considered a similar stress as vigorous exercise.

Is not a disease

Is not a cause of abnormalities in blood count

Does not produce vaso-occlusive symptoms under physiologic conditions; painful crisis not a hallmark or concomitant of condition

Does not adversely affect individual’s life expectancy

Dx established by Hgb electrophoresis

See also Sickle Cell Disease

Heterozygous, in which individual has one beta S and beta A globin gene (SA disease); Sickle Thal is one beta S and one beta C (SC disease)