Abstract

 

Left ventricular dimensions and systolic function were investigated in twenty-four patients 2 to 18 years old (mean age:7.95- 5.28) with beta thalassemia were studied by two-dimentional, M-mode and color-Doppler echocardiography. In patients with beta thalassemia, left ventricular end diastolic diameter and posterior wall thickness were significantly increased (p < 0.05), also left ventricular mass was increased, but diastolic thickness of interventricular septum was decreased (p < 0.01). Left ventricular end diastolic volume, stroke volume, cardiac output and cardiac index were significanly increased in thalassemic patients (p < 0.01, p < 0.05). These result suggests that in thalassemia patients left ventricular function may be impaired without any clinical sign and myocardial changes may begin in the pediatric age group. For initial assessment and follow up of thalassemic patients who are at extremely high risk for myocardial iron deposition echocardiography i s a practical and noninvasive method. [Journal of Turgut Özal Medical Center 1(1):39-46, 1994]

Key Words : ß-thalassemia, echocardiography, left ventricular systolic function, left ventricular dimensions