Magnetic resonance comparison of left-right heart volumetric and functional parameters in thalassemia major and thalassemia intermedia patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a population of asymptomatic thalassemia major (TM) and thalassemia intermedia (TI) patients using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). We supposed that TI group could be differentiated from the TM group based on T2(∗) and that the TI group could demonstrate higher cardiac output.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis of 242 patients with TM and TI was performed (132 males, 110 females; mean age 39.6 ± 8 years; 186 TM, 56 TI). Iron load was assessed by T2(∗) measurements; volumetric functions were analyzed using steady-state-free precession sequences.


RESULTS
Significant difference in left-right heart performance was observed between TM with iron overload and TI patients and between TM with iron overload and TM without iron overload (P < 0.05); no significant differences were observed between TM without iron overload and TI patients. A significant correlation was observed between T2(∗) and ejection fraction of right ventricle- (RV-) ejection fraction of left ventricle (LV); an inverse correlation was present among T2(∗) values and end-diastolic volume of LV, end-systolic volume of LV, stroke volume of LV, end-diastolic volume of RV, end-systolic volume of RV, and stroke volume of RV.


CONCLUSIONS
CMR is a leading approach for cardiac risk evaluation of TM and TI patients.
Department of Radiology, A.O.R.N. Cardarelli, Via Antonio Cardarelli 9, 80100 Naples, Italy.
Carlo
C
Liguori
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Campus Bio-Medico University, Via Alvaro del Portillo 200, 00128 Rome, Italy.
Francesca
F
Pitocco
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Campus Bio-Medico University, Via Alvaro del Portillo 200, 00128 Rome, Italy.
Ilenia
I
Di Giampietro
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Campus Bio-Medico University, Via Alvaro del Portillo 200, 00128 Rome, Italy.
Aldo Eros
AE
De Vivo
Unit of Measurements and Biomedical Instrumentation, Campus Bio-Medico University, Via Alvaro del Portillo 200, 00128 Rome, Italy.
Emiliano
E
Schena
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Campus Bio-Medico University, Via Alvaro del Portillo 200, 00128 Rome, Italy.
Francesco
F
Giurazza
Department of Hematology, Sant'Eugenio Hospital, Piazzale dell'Umanesimo 10, 00143 Rome, Italy.
Francesco
F
Sorrentino
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Campus Bio-Medico University, Via Alvaro del Portillo 200, 00128 Rome, Italy.
Bruno Beomonte
BB
Zobel
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism; D019190:Iron Overload / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013318:Stroke Volume; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology
D007501:Iron