Discussion Forums > Thalassemia Major

Cardiac monitoring and treatment in thalassemia major

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Andy Battaglia:
It's baffling that any doctor treating thalassemics with transfusion would not understand this. Please see the article at http://www.thalassemiapatientsandfriends.com/index.php/topic,1451.0.html


--- Quote ---Cardiac structure and function in TM are mainly affected by two competing factors: iron load and increased cardiac output (CO). The cardiac iron deposition results in a decrease of left ventricular function. The anaemia together with marrow expansion leads to volume overload and increased CO that then demands increased contractility adding additional stress to the heart. (Starling’s Law).
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The article goes into depth about the factors affecting the heart in thalassemia, so there is much in this article to support maintaining a higher Hb level.

--- Quote ---As CO may be close to normal when Hb level is ≥10 g/dL, patients’ Hb concentration should be kept above 10 g/dL by regular blood transfusions. The patients should only be transfused with one packed red cell unit no greater than 250 mL with diuretic treatment as well.
--- End quote ---

Khwahish:
Thank you very much. I will be sure to take it to my next appointments.

Khwahish

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