Longitudinal assessment of cardiac status by echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function in thalassaemic children

Cardiac disease is the primary cause of death in patients affected by thala ssaemia major. In most cases diastolic dysfunction precedes the onset of sy stolic impairment at a time when appropriate therapy can prevent progressio n of cardiac damage. We have assessed the pattern of left ventricular filli ng by Doppler echocardiography in six transfusion-dependent thalassaemic pa tients. They were re-evaluated 5 y after the first observation, after addit ional blood transfusions and consequent iron load. We registered a signific antly impaired relaxation pattern in all of them. A state of cardiac anoxia has been hypothesized.