The Relationship of Myocardial and Liver T2* Values with Cardiac Function and Laboratory Findings in Transfusion-dependent Thalassemia Major Patients: A Retrospective Cardiac MRI Study

Overview

Journal J Cardiovasc Thorac Res

Specialty Cardiology & Vascular Diseases

Date 2023 Sep 1

PMID 37654812

Authors

Sepideh Abdi

Negar Taheri

Fatemeh Zahedi Haghighi

Mahya Khaki

Homa Najafi

Mohammad Mehdi Hemmati Komasi

Behrooz Hassani

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction: Cardiac complications are the leading cause of death in thalassemia patients. It is assumed that progressive iron accumulation results in myocyte damage. Myocardial T2* measurement by cardiac MRI quantifies iron overload. We aimed to study the association between left and right ventricular (LV and RV) function and iron deposition estimation by cardiac MRI T2* in a sample of Iranian patients.

Methods: Cardiac MRI exams of 118 transfusion-dependent thalassemia major patients were evaluated retrospectively. Biventricular function and volume and myocardial and liver T2* values were measured. The demographic and lab data were registered. Poisson and chi-square regression analyses investigated the correlation between the T2* value and ventricular dysfunction.

Results: The study participants' mean (SD) age was 32.7y (9.02), and 47.46% were female. Forty-nine cases (41.52%) revealed at least uni-ventricular dysfunction. LV dysfunction was noted in 20 cases, whereas 47 patients revealed RV dysfunction. The risk of LV dysfunction was 5.3-fold higher in patients with cardiac T2* value less than 10msec (RR=5.3, 95% CI=1.6, 17.1, <0.05). No association was found between age, liver T2* value, serum ferritin level, and chelation therapy with the risk of LV and RV dysfunction.

Conclusion: Cardiac MRI T2* measure is a good indicator of LV dysfunction. Moreover, MRI parameters, especially RV functional measures, may have a substantial role in patient management. Therefore, cardiac MRI should be included in beta-thalassemia patients' management strategies.

Citing Articles

Magnetic Resonance Evaluation of Tissue Iron Deposition and Cardiac Function in Adult Regularly Transfused Thalassemia Intermedia Compared with Thalassemia Major Patients.

Meloni A, Pistoia L, Ricchi P, Longo F, Cecinati V, Sorrentino F J Clin Med. 2024; 13(16).

PMID: 39200932 PMC: 11355279. DOI: 10.3390/jcm13164791.

Assessment of iron status.

Holle A Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2024; 27(5):397-401.

PMID: 38847622 PMC: 11370657. DOI: 10.1097/MCO.0000000000001050.

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