Background:B-Thalassemia is an inherited hemoglobin disorder caused by impaired synthesis of the b-globin chain and resulting in chronic hemolytic anemia.In the absence of regular treatment of thalassemia intermedia patients the diastolic performance of the left ventricle is maintained stable, while the pressure of pulmonary arteries continues to rise which is the main cause of death in these patients. 2D, M mode echocardiographyand tissueDopplerare method for evaluating the cardiac function in patients with thalassemia intermedia.
Objective: Our main objective in this study is to evaluate the cardiac function in patients with thalassemia intermedia by 2D, M mode echocardiography and Doppler methods.
Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 46 thalassemic patients (mean age: 9.7 ± 4.6years) and 46 healthy individuals (mean age: 10.3 ± 4.1 years) as a control group from October 2016 toSeptember 2017 in the Pediatric haematology Clinics and inpatients of Pediatric Department.There was no sign of cardiac involvement by physical examination, chest x-ray and ECG in patients. Echocardiographic parameters were measured in groups, and finally data was analyzed by SPSS software.
Results:The mean of left ventricular myocardial performance index (LMPI) ((P- value<0.001) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) ((P- value<0.001) have statistically significant differencebetween two groups. Mean of interventricular septal dimension in diastole (IVSD), left ventricular posterior wall thickness in diastole (LVPWD) and interventricular septal dimension in systole (IVSS) were also statistically significant with a P-value of, <0.001, 0.042, 0.05).
Conclusion: the systolic and diastolic performance of thalassemia intermedia patients is affected earlier in comparison with control group in some parameters including LVMPI, EF, FS, IVSD, IVSS, LVPWDD and RVMPI. For more evaluation, more quantitative and comprehensive research suggested by evaluation of specific effective factors to psychosocial health of these patients.
Study Limitation
* Age group: we conduct only the pediatric age group thalassemia intermedia, and as we know the most of complication appear in older age
* Number of patient: we conduct only46 patient in our study.
*Lack of material potential: availability of other facilities like T* and MRI as echocardiography is not able to replace them even echocardiographic abnormalities are found.