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Pulmonary hypertension in thalassaemia major patients with normal left ventricular systolic function
Author(s) -
Hagar R. W.,
Morris C. R.,
Vichinsky E. P.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2006.06053.x
Subject(s) - medicine , haemolysis , pulmonary hypertension , cardiology , splenectomy , hemolytic anemia , disease , hemoglobinopathy , ventricular function , immunology , spleen
Summary Pulmonary hypertension is common in adults with thalassaemia and other haemolytic anaemias. It was hypothesised that regular transfusions in thalassaemia major should both decrease the chronic haemolytic rate and be protective from pulmonary hypertension (PHT). To reduce the contribution of existing cardiac disease to PHT, the subjects were limited to patients with normal left ventricular shortening fractions. Associations with multiple laboratory markers of haemolysis, serum ferritin levels, chest X‐rays findings and splenectomy status were also considered. We found no biochemical, transfusional, or clinical (except gender) differences in transfused thalassaemia patients with or without pulmonary hyper tension.