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Determination of early cardiac deterioration in beta-thalassaemia major by echocardiography

Oner Ozdogan1, Alper Alp, Meral Turker

  • 1Dept. of Cardiology, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey. . onerozdogan@yahoo.com

Acta Cardiologica
|July 26, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Early cardiac damage in beta-thalassaemia major (beta-TM) patients can be detected using echocardiography. Key indicators include increased left atrial volume and right ventricle diameter, even before systolic dysfunction appears.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Hematology
  • Medical Imaging

Background:

  • Cardiovascular complications are the primary cause of mortality in beta-thalassaemia major (beta-TM).
  • Early detection of cardiac damage is crucial for timely intervention, as iron-induced cardiac deterioration is often irreversible in late stages.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate early cardiac damage in beta-TM patients using echocardiography before the onset of left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction.
  • To identify echocardiographic parameters indicative of premature cardiac remodeling in beta-TM.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study comparing 70 beta-TM patients with 47 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.
  • Transthoracic echocardiography was performed on all participants.
  • Analysis included LV ejection fraction, left atrial (LA) volume index, LV mass index, right ventricle (RV) diameter index, pulmonary acceleration times, and mitral inflow (E) and tissue Doppler (Em) velocities (E/Em ratio).

Main Results:

  • Beta-TM patients showed significantly increased LA volume index, LV mass index, and RV diameter index compared to controls.
  • Pulmonary acceleration times were significantly shortened in beta-TM patients.
  • Elevated E/Em ratios and correlations between serum ferritin levels and interventricular septum/posterior wall thickness were observed.

Conclusions:

  • Increased LV mass index, LA volume index, RV diameter index, and decreased pulmonary acceleration time are potential early markers of cardiac remodeling in beta-TM.
  • An elevated E/Em ratio may also indicate early cardiac deterioration in beta-TM patients, preceding overt systolic dysfunction.
Abstract

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