Abstract | BACKGROUND: In beta-thalassemia major, heart failure primarily affecting left ventricular systolic function is the most common complication and cause of death. Apart from iron deposition, it has been recently reported that myocarditis might be another contributing factor in the pathogenesis of acute or chronic heart failure, acting possibly through an autoimmune mechanism. In an attempt to assess the role of immunogenetic factors in the development of heart failure associated with beta-thalassemia major, we studied the frequency of major histocompatibility antigens/alleles A, B, DR, and DQ in homozygous beta-thalassemic patients with and without heart failure primarily affecting the left ventricle. METHODS AND RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS: Differences exist in the immunogenetic profile between homozygous beta-thalassemic patients with and without left-sided heart failure, raising the possibility that genetically defined immune mechanisms may play an important role in the pathogenesis of heart failure in beta-thalassemia.
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Authors | D T Kremastinos, P Flevari, M Spyropoulou, H Vrettou, D Tsiapras, C G Stavropoulos-Giokas |
Journal | Circulation
(Circulation)
Vol. 100
Issue 20
Pg. 2074-8
(Nov 16 1999)
ISSN: 1524-4539 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 10562263
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Echocardiography
- Female
- Histocompatibility Testing
- Homozygote
- Humans
- Male
- Ventricular Dysfunction, Left
(etiology)
- beta-Thalassemia
(complications)
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