Sickle cell crisis (vaso-occlusive crisis) occurs when abnormally shaped red blood cells obstruct blood flow, leading to:
Severe localized or generalized pain (most common symptom)
Often in the back, chest, abdomen, or long bones
Hypoxia may be a contributing factor, but pain is the most reported reason for EMS activation. Cardiac arrhythmias and hypertension are not primary symptoms of sickle cell crisis.
[References:, NREMT Medical Guidelines – Hematologic Disorders, AAOS Emergency Care and Transportation (11th ed.) – Chapter on Hematologic Emergencies, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute – Sickle Cell Disease Management, , ]
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