Key result
Beta-thalassemia major was associated with a significantly higher myocardial performance index (0.464 vs 0.431) and impaired aortic elasticity compared to healthy controls.
Why the study?
Are myocardial performance index and arterial elasticity indices impaired in asymptomatic patients with beta-thalassemia major compared to healthy controls?
Case-Control (n=95)
Single-blind
No
Are myocardial performance index and arterial elasticity indices impaired in asymptomatic patients with beta-thalassemia major compared to healthy controls?
Absolute Event Rate: 0.464% vs 0.431%
p-value: p=0.006
Asymptomatic patients with beta-thalassemia major exhibit impaired myocardial performance and arterial elasticity, which may serve as early echocardiographic markers for cardiovascular complications.
Supports myocardial performance index and aortic elasticity as potential early markers in beta-thalassemia major; leaves open their prognostic value and therapeutic implications.
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess myocardial performance index (MPI) and arterial elasticity indices in asymptomatic patients with beta-thalassemia major without known heart disease and to determine relationship between these indices and parameters indicating iron load of body. METHODS: The study included 55 asymptomatic beta-thalassemia patients (median age: 20 years (10 - 48 years)) without known history of heart disease and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. MPI and arterial elasticity indices were determined by using standard two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography. Data were analyzed by SPSS for Windows version 20.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: Left ventricular mass index (83.917 (50.62 - 144) and 68.37 (41.9 - 113.3)) and MPI (0.464 (0.33 - 0.68) and 0.431 (0.31 - 0.51)) were significantly higher in patients with beta-thalassemia when compared to control group (P < 0.001 and P = 0.006). Aortic elasticity indices were significantly higher while aortic strain and distensibility values were significantly lower in patients with beta-thalassemia compared to controls (all P values < 0.001). Positive correlations were detected between aortic stiffness index and platelet (r = 0.235; P = 0.019) and ferritin values (r = 0.328; P = 0.008). Presence of thalassemia (β = -0.729; P = 0.041) and higher platelet value (β = 0.235; P = 0.019) were significant determinants for increased aortic stiffness in linear regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Arterial elasticity indices and MPI are impaired in patients with beta-thalassemia major and these parameters may be used to predict cardiovascular complications in asymptomatic patients with beta-thalassemia major.
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Şahin et al. (2015) conducted a case-control in Beta-thalassemia major (n=95). Beta-thalassemia major vs. Healthy controls was evaluated on Myocardial performance index (MPI) (p=0.006). Beta-thalassemia major was associated with a significantly higher myocardial performance index (0.464 vs 0.431) and impaired aortic elasticity compared to healthy controls.
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