Abstract
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
Advances in the current treatment of β-thalassemia major have contributed to improve prognosis, and nowadays, an increasing number of patients do survive up to the third or fourth, decade. Cardiac complications are still the most common cause of death in patients with major thalassemia.
OBJECTIVE:
Assessment of Left ventricular systolic and diastolic parameters in β-Thalassemia Major patients and its relation to ferritin level and to spleen status.
PATIENT AND METHODS:
A Cross -sectional descriptive study done at Ibn Al- Albalady Hospital for Children and Maternity Baghdad city from beginning of January 2011-to the end of July 2011,( 427) patients with β-thalassemia major were considered for analysis, all patients on regular blood transfusion & chelation therapy. M-mode, 2D and Doppler echocardiographic parameters were averaged over 3 cardiac cycles and all echocardiographic measurements were performed according to the guidelines for performance of a pediatric echocardiogram by American Society of Echocardiography
RESULTS:
LA, Aortic diameter ,LA/AO ratio, LV posterior wall thickness , interventricular wall thickness, Left Ventricular end systolic and diastolic diameter were larger in β-thalassemic patients. Peak E, peak A, isovolumic relaxation time were higher in thalassemic patient. There were no difference in E/A flow ratio and E deceleration time. Strok volume, LV mass index and MPI were higher in thalassemic patients. No change in Ejection Fraction and Fraction Shortening. No effect found in all mitral valve Doppler parameters in relation to ferritine level. LV mass index higher in splenctomized patients. No effect found in all mitral valve Doppler parameters in relation to spleen status.
CONCLUSION:
The findings of this study shows that in β-Thalassemic patients there is good systolic function but decrease in diastolic function and there was no correlation between ferritin level and LV systolic and diastolic function.
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