Thalassemia and iron overload cardiomyopathy: Pathophysiological insights, clinical implications, and management strategies.

Thalassemia is a hereditary blood disorder characterized by reduced hemoglobin production, leading to chronic anemia. A major complication of thalassemia is iron overload, primarily due to regular blood transfusions and increased gastrointestinal iron absorption, which can lead to iron overload cardiomyopathy, a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in thalassemia patients. This review aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying iron overload cardiomyopathy in thalassemia, examining how excessive iron accumulation disrupts cardiac function through oxidative stress, cellular damage, and altered calcium homeostasis.