| dc.description.abstract | The goal of this study was the evaluation of specific markers of myocardial injury that includes CK-MB and troponin I in major thalassemic patients. Regular blood transfusion is the main treatment in major thalassemia. One of the most important complications of regular blood transfusion is iron overload that eventually involves many organs like heart and cause myocardial injury. Sixty patients with transfusion-dependent major thalassemia, at the age range of 8 to 15 years in Tabriz Pediatric Medical Center were chosen. Measurement of Hb, Hct and serum ferritin were performed in hospital laboratory, but total serum Creatine Kinase (CK) by photometric and isoenzyme of CK-MB by immunologic DGKC and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) were tested by ELISA methods in Shaheed Madani heart center laboratory before blood transfusion. For all patients echocardiography and ECG assessment of cardiac function were done by a pediatric cardiologist and results were statistically analyzed. Forty nine patients (group A) had normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF = 50-70%) and 11 patients (group B) had reduced LVEF (20-45%). There was no statistical difference between two groups in average volume of blood transfusion (p = 0.074). Although total CK and CK-MB isoenzyme were higher in group B but there was no statistically meaningful difference between two groups (p = 0.123, p = 0.111). Troponin I also was higher in group B but statistically analysis showed no correlation between cardiac function and troponin I level in these groups (p = 0.827). This study showed that cardiac markers are not helpful for recognition of cardiac involvement in major thalassemia. | |
