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Laura Martina De Castro

Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine
Medicine, Hematology
Duke Box 3939, Durham, NC 27710
2212 Elba St, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


Dr. De Castro is an assistant professor of medicine with the Division of Hematology in the Department of Medicine at Duke University. She is the clinical director of the adult comprehensive sickle cell clinic. Her translational research projects involve the evaluation of sickle red cell adhesion to laminin and its pathophysiological significance. In, addition, she has been the PI of more than 10 NIH or industry sponsored clinical studies on SCD and she is currently the Duke/UNC Sickle Cell Scholar, funded primarily through the Duke/UNC Sickle Cell Center.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine · 2014 - Present Medicine, Hematology, Medicine

Recent Publications


Factors associated with survival in a contemporary adult sickle cell disease cohort.

Journal Article Am J Hematol · May 2014 In this study, the relationship of clinical differences among patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) was examined to understand the major contributors to early mortality in a contemporary cohort. Survival data were obtained for 542 adult subjects who were ... Full text Link to item Cite

An official American Thoracic Society clinical practice guideline: diagnosis, risk stratification, and management of pulmonary hypertension of sickle cell disease.

Journal Article Am J Respir Crit Care Med · March 15, 2014 BACKGROUND: In adults with sickle cell disease (SCD), an increased tricuspid regurgitant velocity (TRV) measured by Doppler echocardiography, an increased serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) level, and pulmonary hypertension (PH) di ... Full text Link to item Cite

Differences in pain management between hematologists and hospitalists caring for patients with sickle cell disease hospitalized for vasoocclusive crisis.

Journal Article Clin J Pain · March 2014 OBJECTIVES: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic disease characterized by multiple vaso-occlusive complications and is increasingly cared for by hospitalists. The purpose of this study is to examine differences in pain management between hematologists an ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Hematopoietic Cell Therapy for Young Adults with Severe Sickle Cell Disease

Clinical TrialInvestigator · Awarded by University of Pittsburgh · 2011 - 2014

Phase II Study of Propranolol as Anti-Adhesive Therapy in SCD

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2009 - 2013

PROPRANOLOL AS ANTI-ADHESIVE THERAPY IN SCD

Clinical TrialCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2010 - 2012

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Education, Training & Certifications


Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) · 1986 M.D.