Cardiac complications of homozygous-β thalassaemia

Abstract EN

Background Homozygous – β thalassaemia has frequently been reported to be associated with cardiac complications mainly due to the deposition of iron in the heart.

Objective To find effects of homozygous β-thalassemia on cardiac functions and its relation with Haemosiderosis.

Patients and Methods Eighty patients with h omo zygous β thalasseamia were included in the study.

Thalassaemic center attach to Ibn-Alatheer paediatric hospital, Haematology unit, Coronary care unit and Echo unit in Ibn-Sina teaching hospital in Mosul (February to September 2005).

All patients were subjected to full clinical, laboratory, ECG and Echocardiographic evaluat Results There were 50 males and 30 females.

Age ranged between 11-35 years, their mean was 15.8 years.

18 (22.5%) patients had cardiac dysfunction, of them 12 (15%) had systolic dysfunction and 6 (7.5%) had diastolic dysfunction.

ECG changes were present in 27(33.75%) patients and 31(38.75%) had valvular abnormalities.

Congestive heart failure present in 3(3.75%) patients and 3(3.75%) patients had pulmonary hypertension.

Conclusion Cardiac Complications are common in Homozygous-β Thalassaemia older than the age of 10 years.

Further studies utilizing more advanced techniques to detect earlier cardiac dysfunction more accurately may be useful.