All SCD patients aged more than 16 years and admitted
to our unit from January 2004 to August 2010 were eligible,
except those (n = 17) enrolled in a randomized controlled trial
testing the efficacy and safety of inhaled nitric oxide in patients
with mild ACS (Inhaled Nitric Oxide in Acute Chest Syndrome
study, ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT00748423). Admission
to our unit was based on the clinical judgment of the intensivist
and the referring SCD physician. Patients who were referred
to our unit for organizational reasons and women admitted
for a planned postpartum monitoring were excluded, as well.
The medical staff of the referral center published guidelines for
management of SCD in adulthood (14), most of which were
already implemented at the beginning of our study.