Magnetic Resonance Comparison of Left-Right Heart Volumetric and Functional Parameters in Thalassemia Major and Thalassemia Intermedia Patients

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 on T2(∗) 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 age 39.6 ± 8 years; 186 TM, 56 TI). Iron load was assessed by T2(∗) 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 between T2(∗) and ejection fraction of right ventricle- (RV-) ejection fraction of left ventricle (LV); an inverse correlation was present among T2(∗) 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.