Therapeutic Red Cell Exchange Transfusion as an Adjuvant Therapy for Management of Sickle Cell Crisis in Adults

Sickle cell crisis is an acute clinical condition, caused due to capillary occlusion by the deformed red blood cells, leading to vaso-occlusive status. Vaso-occlusion is an emergency condition requiring intensive care admission and carries a high mortality. Sickle cell crisis is usually managed with hydration, analgesics, and supportive care. Therapeutic red cell exchange transfusion is advised as an adjuvant, for the management of sickle cell crisis, and it is mainly practiced in the pediatric population. We report an adult case of sickle cell crisis managed with therapeutic red cell exchange transfusion in Intensive Care Unit and successful outcome in patient management.