Atrial dysfunction as a marker of iron cardiotoxicity in thalassemia major

Haematologica. 2008 Feb;93(2):311-2. doi: 10.3324/haematol.11958.

Abstract

We measured left atrial size and function from biplane MRI data in 62 adults with thalassemia major. Age-adjusted left atrial ejection fraction was depressed in 7 out of 20 subjects having T2* < 10 ms. Left atrial size, left ventricular size and cardiac output fell with cardiac iron loading, representing increased cardiac or peripheral vascular stiffness.

Publication types

  • Letter
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Atrial Function, Left
  • Biomarkers
  • Cardiac Output
  • Cardiotoxins / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Heart Atria / metabolism
  • Heart Atria / pathology
  • Heart Atria / physiopathology
  • Heart Diseases / metabolism*
  • Heart Diseases / pathology
  • Heart Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Heart Ventricles / metabolism
  • Heart Ventricles / pathology
  • Heart Ventricles / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Iron / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Organ Size
  • beta-Thalassemia / metabolism*
  • beta-Thalassemia / pathology
  • beta-Thalassemia / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Cardiotoxins
  • Iron