Background: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) by delayed enhancement (DE) enables visualisation of myocardial scarring, but no dedicated studies are available in thalassaemia major.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence, extent, clinical and instrumental correlates of myocardial fibrosis or necrosis by DE CMR in patients with thalassaemia major.

Patients: 115 Patients with thalassaemia major consecutively examined at an MRI laboratory.

Methods: DE images were acquired to quantify myocardial scarring. Myocardial iron overload was determined by multislice multiecho T2*. Cine images were obtained to evaluate biventricular function.

Results: DE areas were present in 28/115 patients (24%). The mean (SD) extent of DE was 3.9 (2.4)%. In 26 patients the location of fibrosis was not specific and patchy distribution was prevalent. Two patients showed transmural DE following coronary distribution. The DE group was significantly older than the no-DE group (31 (7.7) years vs 26 (7.7) years, p = 0.004). No significant relation with heart T2* values and biventricular function was found. A significant correlation was found between the presence of DE and changes in ECG (ECG abnormal in the DE group 22/28 patients and in the no-DE group 30/87 patients; chi(2) = 14.9; p<0.001).

Conclusions: In patients with thalassaemia the significant presence of myocardial fibrosis/necrosis seems to be a time-dependent process correlating with cardiovascular risk factors and cardiac complications. Levels of HCV antibodies are significantly higher in the serum of patients with thalassaemia with myocardial fibrosis/necrosis. ECG changes showed a good accuracy in predicting myocardial scarring.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/hrt.2008.156497DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

myocardial scarring
12
delayed enhancement
8
cardiovascular magnetic
8
magnetic resonance
8
thalassaemia major
8
patients thalassaemia
8
no-de group
8
patients
7
myocardial
5
scarring delayed
4

Similar Publications

A 65-year-old woman with a history of ductal mammary carcinoma and recent autonomic dysfunction underwent a Rb-82 chloride (RbCl) cardiac PET/CT scan that showed no ischemia or scarring, but significantly reduced myocardial flow reserve (MFR) (global: 1.5) and a CAC-Score of 0. The patient's chemotherapy history (paclitaxel, carboplatin, epirubicin, pembrolizumab 2 years before) with elevated Troponin T and NT-pro-BNP levels at that time, and now reduced MFR with 0 CAC suggests cancer-therapy-related cardiotoxicity.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Left ventricular (LV) myocardial contraction patterns can be assessed using LV mechanical dispersion (LVMD), a parameter closely associated with electrical activation patterns. Despite its potential clinical significance, limited research has been conducted on LVMD following myocardial infarction (MI). This study aims to evaluate the predictive value of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-derived LVMD for adverse clinical outcomes and to explore its correlation with myocardial scar heterogeneity.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery (LCA) from the pulmonary artery (PA) (ALCAPA) is a rare congenital abnormality. We present a case of an ALCAPA in a 25-year-old man.

Case Summary: A 25-year-old male with no past medical history was admitted to our intensive cardiac care unit after sudden cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation and suspected acute coronary syndrome.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Myocardial fibrosis is associated with a poor outcome for patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) concentrations predict the risk of death in patients with CVD, but the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are poorly understood. We aimed to assess the associations between biomarkers of cellular stress and inflammation (GDF-15), cardiac injury (cardiac troponin T [cTnT]), and stretch (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide [NT-proBNP]), and subsequent focal and diffuse myocardial fibrosis assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!