[Intensive intravenous chelation in thalassemic patients with iron overload]

The effects of an alternative chelation program in thalassemic patients with severe iron overload are investigated. The schedule of treatment, feasible at home, consists in the administration of deferoxamine intravenously (100 mg/kg/die 8 hours 10 days a month), followed by 50 mg/kg/die subcutaneously in the remaining 20 days of the month. The results in 34 patients who underwent this program over 8 months are reported. After intensive chelation therapy serum ferritin and transaminase levels were significantly lower, and daily urinary iron excretion values were significantly higher when compared to the levels observed before the treatment. After the period of study, echocardiography revealed an ejection fraction (EF) significantly higher in 15 out of 34 cardiopathic patients. In conclusion, the alternative chelation program is effective in reducing iron overload of thalassemic patients, protecting them also against cardiac disease.