Relationship Between Abnormal Myocardial Perfusion and Diastolic Dysfunction in Sickle Cell Disease Using PET

Inclusion Criteria - Stratum A: Sickle cell patients with diastolic dysfunction * 18 to 21 years of age * Black * Diagnosis of SCD of HbSS and HbSβ0thalassemia genotypes * Three or more abnormal diastolic parameters (based on guidelines by American Society of echocardiography) Inclusion Criteria - Stratum B: Sickle cell patients without diastolic dysfunction * 18 to 21 years of age * Black * Diagnosis of SCD of HbSS and HbSβ0thalassemia genotypes * Two or less abnormal diastolic parameters Inclusion Criteria - Stratum C: Healthy controls * 18 to 21 years of age * Black * Two or less abnormal diastolic parameters Exclusion Criteria - Stratum A: * Recent hospitalization for vaso-occlusive pain crisis or acute chest syndrome in last 4 weeks * Blood transfusion in the last 3 months * Individuals with signs, symptoms or EKG findings of acute myocardial ischemia, infarction or unstable angina * Individuals with history of VT/VF or SVT * Previous cardiac surgery * Known congenital heart disease (other than patent ductus arteriosus or Atrial septal defect) * Stenotic valvular disease or left main coronary artery stenosis * History of myo/pericarditis * Left ventricle systolic dysfunction * Cardiovascular instability/uncontrolled hypertension (h/o hypertensive urgency or emergency) * History of sinus node dysfunction or high grade AV nodal block * History of aborted sudden cardiac death or cardiac arrest * Current seizure disorder on AED * Pregnant/Breast-feeding * Any medical …