ICU admission was mainly
indicated for sickle-cell disease–related events, especially acute
chest syndrome. Mechanical ventilation, vasoactive drugs, and
renal replacement therapy were administered to 25 (18%), 10
(7%), and 10 (7%) episodes, respectively. The complicated outcome
group (n = 28; 20%) was characterized by a more aggressive
acute disease within the 48 hours preceding ICU admission,
with a higher respiratory rate, a more frequent acute kidney injury,
and a more sustained drop of hemoglobin (all p < 0.01). All
nine deaths (7%) were sickle-cell disease related.