ASH Clinical Practice Guidelines

ASH SCD Guidelines: Cardiopulmonary and Kidney Disease

Over recent years, advances in our understanding of how sickle cell disease (SCD) affects the heart, lungs, and kidneys have underscored the need for coordinated, evidence-based care across multiple specialties. The ASH Clinical Practice Guidelines on SCD-related cardiopulmonary and kidney disease provide recommendations to help hematologists and other specialists recognize, evaluate, and manage these serious complications, including guidance on blood pressure targets, appropriate use of screening tests, and access to kidney transplantation. Developed to support shared decision-making between clinicians and individuals living with SCD, these guidelines aim to improve clinical outcomes, inform thoughtful use of diagnostic and treatment strategies, and highlight key gaps where further research is needed to enhance long-term organ health and quality of life.

In 2023, these guidelines were reviewed by an expert work group convened by ASH. Review included limited searches for new evidence and discussion of the search results. Following this review, the ASH Committee on Quality agreed to continue monitoring the supporting evidence rather than revise or retire these guidelines at this time.

Access the Full Guidelines

Download a Snapshot of the Guidelines

Guideline Implementation Tools and Resources

ASH Clinical Practice Guidelines App

The ASH Clinical Practice Guidelines App provides access to the recommendations with links to the complete evidence-to-decision tables used to develop them.

Teaching Slides

Educational slide sets to teach about managing cardiopulmonary and kidney disease in patients with SCD.

Pocket Guide

Brief, evidence-based pocket guides to help physicians provide quality care to patients.