Echocardiographic and platelet markers of cardiovascular strain in sickle cell disease with superimposed preeclampsia: a perspective.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) and preeclampsia (PE) are both conditions associated with significant vascular dysfunction and increased cardiovascular risk, particularly during pregnancy. When PE is superimposed on SCD, the compounded pathophysiological effects exacerbate endothelial damage, inflammation, and hemodynamic stress, posing substantial risks to maternal and fetal health. Echocardiography offers a valuable non-invasive approach to assess cardiac function and detect subclinical cardiovascular alterations in pregnant women with SCD complicated by PE. Key echocardiographic markers, including left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, pulmonary hypertension, and right ventricular impairment, provide insight into the extent of cardiovascular compromise. Concurrently, platelet activation markers such as mean platelet volume and surface expression of adhesion molecules reflect a heightened pro-thrombotic state that contributes to vascular injury and disease progression. Integrating echocardiographic findings with platelet biomarkers may enhance risk stratification and guide targeted interventions to mitigate cardiovascular complications in this high-risk population. Further research is needed to establish standardized protocols and explore therapeutic avenues aimed at reducing maternal morbidity and improving pregnancy outcomes in women with SCD and superimposed PE.