Electrocardiographic changes among beta-thalassemic major patients in ibn al-baladi thalassemia center-Baghdad

Abstract EN

Background :Thalassemia is an autosomal disease of the haemoglobin.

Two types of thalassemia are recognized: thalassemia major and thalassemia intermedia.

The most serious cardiac complication in thalassemia major is due to multiple blood transfusions rather than the disease itself, which is due to iron overload.

Cardiomyopathy is the most common cardiac defect that occurs with iron overload.

Pricarditis, congestive heart failure and arrhythmias are due to hemosidrosis and chronic aneamia.

Aim of the study: to demonstrate the prevalence and types of electrocardiographic changes among thalassemic patients with aged over ten years old.

Methods :The study is a cross sectional study conducted in Thalassemic center in Ibn Al-Baladi Hospital/Resafa Directorate of Health/ Baghdad during the period of December/ 1st/2010-May/ 30th/ 2011.

Data collection was carried out using a questionnaire included basic demographic data clinical and epidemiological variables, and filled through direct interview with the patients or their relatives.

ECG record for every patient, and then evaluated for any abnormalities by consultant cardiologist.

Results:The total number of Thalassemic patients in the study was 180 cases; overall prevalence of electrocardiographic changes was (61.7%).

(38.3%) were in the age group 10-14 years.

Seventy five percentages have thalassemia major.

About (73%) were on irregular treatment with desferal.

Most electrocardiographic changes are with tachycardia (52.25%) and (29.7%) have left ventricular hypertrophy.

Conclusion Electrocardiographic changes were higher in the age group 10-14 years (65.2%) were males, and (69.4%)females.

Electrocardiographic changes affect about two thirds of thalassemia patients, and the most common types were the tachycardia, and left ventricular hypertrophy