LEFT-VENTRICULAR DIASTOLIC DOPPLER CHARACTERISTICS IN BETA-THALASSEMIA MAJOR

Background. Diastolic left ventricular function expressed by diastolic Doppler characteristics of the left ventricle has never been properly investigated. Methods and Results. Left ventricular inflow and pulmon ary vein flow patterns were assessed hy Doppler echocardiography in 88 beta-thalassemia major patients with normal left ventricular systolic function; 34 were young (age, 15.1+/-3.2 years) and 54 were adults (a ge, 25.1+/-3.6 years). The findings were compared with those obtained from 22 young (age, 13.8+/-2.4 years) and 24 adult (age, 25.3+/-4.1 ye ars) normal individuals. In both groups of patients, peak flow velocit ies in early (E).and late (A) diastole were higher than in the control subjects (young E: P<.01; adult E: P<.001; young A: P<.05; adult A: P <.05), whereas no difference was found in the E/A ratio, deceleration time, or isovolumic relaxation time. Pulmonary vein systolic (S) and d iastolic (D) velocities were also higher in beta-thalassemia major pat ients compared with the control subjects (young S: P<.05; adult S: P<. 05; young D: P<.05; adult D: P<.05). Restrictive left ventricular abno rmalities were only found in 7 patients who were among the oldest beta -thalassemia major population of the adult group (P<.01) with highly e levated mean serum ferritin. In comparison to the remaining adult pati ents, interventricular septum and left ventricular posterior wall thic kness were increased (P<.01 and P<.01, respectively). The left atrium and right ventricle were dilated (P<.05 and P<.01, respectively). Conc lusions. Doppler diastolic indexes in beta-thalassemia major patients with normal left ventricular systolic function are similar to those se en in conditions with an increased preload, probably because of chroni c anemia. Only severe iron loading and deposition in the myocardium le ads to the restrictive abnormalities of left ventricular filling.