Cardiac Iron Overload: Correlation between MRI T2* & Two Dimensional Strain Echocardiography in Children with b-Thalassemia Major

Abstract

Background: β -thalassemia is a group of inherited blood disorders that causes iron overload in the heart. Development of overt heart failure is delayed till the second decade of life. Early detection of cardiac iron overload is necessary before development of heart failure.Aim of the Study: Was to evaluate cardiac function in children with β -thalassemia major having iron overload and to Compare MRI T2* and doppler echocardiography in demonstration of iron deposition in cardiac muscles in those patients.Patients and Methods: Fifty children with thalassemia major were subjected to history taking, clinical assessment, laboratory assessment, Doppler echocardiography and MRI for cardiac iron load assessment.Results: There is a negative correlation between cardiac MRI T2* with age, ferritin and serum iron level. As regard correltion between MRI and doppler echocardiography there is a positive correlation between MRI T2* and diastolic echocardiographic parameters Tei index in patients with thalassemia Major. Conclusion:There is a significant correlation between MRI T2* and Doppler echocardiography in patients with β thalassemia major.