Objective: Although there is increased survival and quality of life
for thalassemia patients, which results from a genetic defect in globin
synthesis, heart diseases are still important causes of morbidity and mortality
related to the iron burden. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the cardiac
functions of thalassemia patients followed up in Hatay State Hospital using echocardiography.
Method: A total of 101 patients with 7 thalassemia intermedia
and 94 thalassemia major who were followed at Hatay state hospital were
examined retrospectively. Of patients, 47
were male and 54 were female. Their ages ranged between 1-17 years (mean
8.6±4.6 years). M-mode echocardiography was used to measure LVEDd (left
ventricular end-diastolic diameter) and EF (ejection fraction). The demographic
and laboratory values of the patients were obtained from their files.
Results: The mean of LVEDd (mm) and EF (%) were evaluated as 34.8±6.1,
and 66.36±1.4 with M-mode echocardiography, respectively. When the correlation between age, ferritin and LVEDd
and EF were evaluated; it was determined that there was a high positive
correlation (r=0.649) between age and LVEDd (p<0.01). A negative correlation was detected between ferritin
and EF (r=-0.271) (p<0.01). EF was found to be
significantly lower in the group with ferritin <2000. LVEDd was found to be
increased in the group with ferritin >2000, although it was not
statistically significant.
Conclusions: In our study, it was shown that EF was decreased with increasing
ferritin and LVEDS was increased with increasing age of patients with
thalassemia. The ideal ferritin level which was ensured after
suitable chelation therapy should be an important goal to reduce cardiac
involvement.
Primary Language | English |
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Subjects | Health Care Administration |
Journal Section | Medical Science Research Articles |
Authors | |
Publication Date | December 31, 2019 |
Acceptance Date | December 31, 2019 |
Published in Issue | Year 2019Volume: 41 Issue: 4 |