Advancement of echocardiography for surveillance of iron overload cardiomyopathy: comparison to cardiac magnetic resonance imaging

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Evaluation and Prognosis of Infiltrative Cardiomyopathies

Advancements in cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging quality and availability have made it an essential tool in the care of individuals living with cardiomyopathies. CMR complements clinical suspicion, electrocardiogram patterns, and echocardiographic findings to help elucidate the etiology of cardiomyopathies and can also be used to prognosticate and follow treatment responses. In this review, we highlight the common CMR findings in cardiac amyloidosis, cardiac sarcoidosis, iron overload cardiomyopathy, and Fabry disease. We also summarize prognostic findings and additional potential roles for CMR in the management of infiltrative cardiomyopathies.

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. Clinical manifestations, including fatigue, arrhythmias, and heart failure, are discussed alongside diagnostic strategies such as echocardiography and cardiac MRI for early detection and monitoring. Management approaches focusing on iron chelation therapy, lifestyle modifications, and advanced interventions like gene therapy are explored. The review also highlights the importance of early diagnosis, regular monitoring, and patient adherence to therapy to prevent the progression of cardiomyopathy. Recent advances in treatment and future research directions, including personalized medicine, and gene editing technologies, are presented. Addressing the challenges in managing iron overload in thalassemia patients is crucial for improving outcomes and enhancing quality of life.

Cross-sectional study on the impact of cardiac and hepatic iron overload, as measured by MRI T2*, on the quality of life in children with severe beta-thalassemia major

A cross-sectional study to explore the correlation between cardiac and hepatic iron overload and its impact on the quality of life in children diagnosed with severe beta-thalassemia major (β-TM). A cohort of 55 pediatric patients with β-TM, diagnosed via genetic testing at the Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University from January 2015 to January 2022, was included in this study. The assessment of cardiac and hepatic iron overload was conducted using the magnetic resonance imaging T2* technique. The Chinese version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) 4.0. Pearson correlation analysis was utilized to assess the relationships between the cardiac and hepatic T2* values and between these T2* values and the total scores of PedsQL 4.0. Analysis showed no significant correlation between cardiac and hepatic T2* values. However, a significant relationship was observed between cardiac T2* values and PedsQL 4.0 total scores (r = 0.313, P < .05), indicating that cardiac, but not hepatic, iron overload is associated with the quality of life. This study highlights the absence of correlation between cardiac and hepatic iron overload levels and demonstrates a significant impact of cardiac iron overload on the quality of life in children with β-TM. These findings suggest the need for a focused approach to cardiac health in managing β-TM.