Treatment of Sickle Cell Patients Hospitalized in Pain Crisis With Prophylactic Dose Low-molecular-weight Heparin (LMWH) Versus Placebo
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common inherited diseases worldwide and exhibits highest frequency in people of African descent. Patients with SCD currently have few treatment options, with hydroxyurea being the only medication approved to reduce the frequency of vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) and prevent other SCD complications such as acute chest syndrome. Once patients develop VOC, hospitalizations aim to alleviate pain; no specific therapy is currently available to otherwise affect the course of the VOC. However, there has been increasing interest in the role of coagulation in the pathogenesis of SCD. The investigators hypothesize that low dose anticoagulant therapy, such as prophylactic dose low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), could be a novel way to ameliorate the vaso-occlusive process and thereby hasten the resolution of pain.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Dalteparin (Anticoagulant)
- Placebo (Other)
Dalteparin is already approved in European Union, United States, Canada for the following indications:
- Prevention of deep vein thrombosis
- Treatment of deep vein thrombosis
- Prevention of pulmonary embolism
- Treatment of unstable angina and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction
- Prevention of deep vein thrombosis
- Treatment of acute deep vein thrombosis
- Extended treatment of deep vein thrombosis
- Prevention of ischemic complications in unstable angina and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction
- Prevention of deep vein thrombosis
- Treatment of deep vein thrombosis
- Prevention of pulmonary embolism