Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evaluation of Myocardial and Hepatic Iron Overload in Beta-Thalassaemia

Abstract

‎Background: Beta-Thalassemia major is an inherited condition characterized by a kind of ‎anemia that causes the destruction of red blood cells, and a significant complication of this ‎condition is the accumulation of excessive iron in body. Magnetic resonance imaging is the ‎most commonly accessible modality that considered non-invasive for identifying or measuring ‎the extent of iron buildup, as well as tracking the effectiveness of treatments that reduce iron ‎levels. Methods: Prospective study involved 35 beta thalassemia thalassemia. 1.5 Tesla MRI machine was used to ‎perform MRI scans of the liver and heart in all subjects in order to evaluate iron in the heart muscles or liver. Results: Serum ferritin among studied ‎patients had a range from 300 up to 10000 ng /ml with a mean value of 3013.86 ± 3000.5 SD. ‎There was no significant correlation between age or sex and hepatic or cardiac magnetic ‎resonance imaging findings, but there was a significant negative correlation between ‎ferritin levels with hepatic MRI T2 (P =0.037). Also, it was reported a statistical significant ‎positive correlation between ferritin levels and R2 and LIC. It was noticed no significant ‎correlation between ferritin levels assessed in the serum and cardiac MRI findings (P >0.05). ‎As the grade of hepatic iron overload increase, ferritin levels increases. Conclusion: T2* MRI is currently the ‎ perfered tool for early detection, measurement, and monitoring of iron overload in the ‎liver and heart. It is used to guide chelation therapy, which helps prevent iron-related heart ‎problems and minimize patient mortality.‎