학술논문
Longitudinal assessment of cardiac status by echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function in thalassaemic children.
Document Type
Journal Article
Author
Source
Subject
*DOPPLER echocardiography
*THALASSEMIA diagnosis
*
Language
ISSN
0803-5253
Abstract
Cardiac disease is the primary cause of death in patients affected by thalassaemia major. In most cases diastolic dysfunction precedes the onset of systolic impairment at a time when appropriate therapy can prevent progression of cardiac damage. We have assessed the pattern of left ventricular filling by Doppler echocardiography in six transfusion-dependent thalassaemic patients. They were re-evaluated 5 y after the first observation, after additional blood transfusions and consequent iron load. We registered a significantly impaired relaxation pattern in all of them. A state of cardiac anoxia has been hypothesized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]