What is the prognosis for bone marrow transplantation in patients with sickle cell disease?
Bone marrow transplantation is promising for primary stroke prevention in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), and studies have reported overall and event-free survival rates of 93% and 85%, respectively. No new ischemic lesions were reported and TCD velocities decreased. In a study of 55 children who underwent bone marrow transplantation for severe SCD, 16 patients without prior stroke and unremarkable MRI before bone marrow transplantation had no clinical or silent stroke on follow-up, and the 10 patients with prior silent ischemia had no further events. However, further study is needed to determine its efficacy for primary prevention of stroke in adults with SCD.