The pathophysiological relationship and clinical significance of left atrial function and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in [beta]-thalassemia major

• Published in: American journal of hematology 2014-01, Vol.89 (1), p.13
• Main Authors: Kostopoulou, Anna G, Tsiapras, Dimitrios P, Chaidaroglou, Antigoni S, giannis, Dimitrios E, Farmakis, Dimitrios, Kremastinos, Dimitrios Th
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Hematology
• ISSN: 0361-8609; 1096-8652
• DOI: 10.1002/ajh.23581

Iron deposition in combination with inflammatory and immunogenetic factors is involved in the pathophysiology of cardiac dysfunction in [beta]-thalassemia major. We investigated the mechanical and endocrine function of the left atrium and ventricle to identify early signs of dysfunction. We studied 90 patients (mean age: 29±11 years) with [beta]-thalassemia and normal left ventricular function and 90 age and sex-matched healthy controls. Patients and controls underwent a thorough cardiac echocardiographic study and measurements of the b-type (NT-proBNP) and atrial natriuretic peptides (proANP). Patients underwent 24-hr Holter recordings for arrhythmia monitoring. In the patient group, atria were affected early during the course of the disease, prior to diastolic and systolic left ventricular dysfunction. The E/E'ratio (E Doppler mitral fast inflow to the corresponding tissue Doppler E) continually increased with age (P