An echo-cardiographic (M-mode & 2D) analysis of thalassaemia major.
25 cases of thalassaemia major were studied by 2D and M-mode echocardiography. A significantly increased (p less than 0.001) mean value (100.8 +/- 27.37 msec, range 80 to 140 msec) of A2-E (early relaxation period) interval on M-mode was observed in thalassemia in comparison to mean level (82.6 +/- 5.7, range 60 to 100 msec) of control population. No significant differences were noted in FS % (fractional shortening) and EF% (ejection fraction) when compared to corresponding normal values respectively. Mean serum iron concentration (142.2 +/- 29.1 micrograms/dl, range 102 to 192 micrograms/dl) was significantly higher in thalassaemia as compared to normal population (mean 106.3 +/- 11.4 micrograms/dl, range 75 to 120 micrograms/dl). There was also a direct correlation between serum iron concentration and A2-E interval. 11 patients (44%) showed abnormal A2-E interval but only 3 patients (12%) showed abnormal percentage of FS and EF. It is therefore concluded that A2-E interval will help to detect early left ventricular dysfunction much before overt and irreversible heart failure becomes manifest and which will also help to optimise transfusion and chelation therapy.
Senior
R
R
Dept. of Biochemistry, Singh Hospital, Calcutta.
Batabyal
S K
SK
Dutta
R N
RN
Guha
S
S
Dutta
S
S
Bhattacharji
T D
TD
Kundu
S C
SC
Maity
A K
AK
Kar
C C
CC
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000503:physiopathology*
D006454:Hemoglobins