Hindawi, BioMed Research International, (2015), p. 1-7, 2015
DOI: 10.1155/2015/857642
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Objectives. 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 onT2∗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 age39.6±8years; 186 TM, 56 TI). Iron load was assessed byT2∗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 betweenT2∗and ejection fraction of right ventricle- (RV-) ejection fraction of left ventricle (LV); an inverse correlation was present amongT2∗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.