Abstract | OBJECTIVES: Oral deferiprone (L1) appears to be promising in the treatment of beta-thalassemia major (TM) patients. T2* magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a single measurement in the mid-ventricular septum was validated as a quantitative evaluation of myocardial iron overload. Previous studies suggested a marked heterogeneity of iron distribution in the myocardium. We set up a multislice multiecho T2* MRI for the detection of this heterogeneity. The aim of our study was to investigate differences between the L1 vs. the subcutaneous desferrioxamine (DF)-treated patients using this new approach. METHODS: Thirty-six beta-TM patients (age 29 +/- 8 yr) underwent MRI. Eighteen patients received long-term L1, and 18 other patients matched for age and sex received DF. T2* multiecho sequences on three short axis views of the left ventricle were obtained and analyzed by custom-made software. In each slice, the myocardium was automatically segmented into four segments. Cine-dynamic images were also obtained to evaluate biventricular function. RESULTS: For multislice T2* technique, the coefficient of variation for intra- and inter-observer, and inter-study reproducibility was 3.9%, 4.7%, and 5.5%, respectively. The global heart T2* value was significantly higher in the L1 vs. DF group (35 +/- 7 vs. 27 +/- 2 ms; P = 0.02). The number of segments with normal T2* value (>20 ms) was significantly higher in the L1 vs. the DF group (11 +/- 1 vs. 8 +/- 5 segments; P = 0.03). We did not detect significant differences in biventricular function parameters. CONCLUSIONS: This new approach confirms that L1 could be more effective than DF in removal of myocardial iron.
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Authors | Alessia Pepe, Massimo Lombardi, Vincenzo Positano, Eliana Cracolici, Marcello Capra, Roberto Malizia, Luciano Prossomariti, Daniele De Marchi, Massimo Midiri, Aurelio Maggio |
Journal | European journal of haematology
(Eur J Haematol)
Vol. 76
Issue 3
Pg. 183-92
(Mar 2006)
ISSN: 0902-4441 [Print] England |
PMID | 16451393
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Pyridones
- Deferiprone
- Deferoxamine
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Topics |
- Adult
- Deferiprone
- Deferoxamine
(administration & dosage)
- Female
- Humans
- Iron Overload
(diagnosis, drug therapy)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
(methods)
- Magnetics
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Myocardium
(metabolism)
- Pyridones
(administration & dosage)
- beta-Thalassemia
(complications, drug therapy, pathology)
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