Left atrial strain in patients with β-thalassemia major: a cross-sectional CMR study

ConclusionIn patients with β-TM, LA strain parameters were impaired compared to control subjects, and they exhibited a significant correlation with the number of LV segments with LGE. Furthermore, patients with cardiac complications had impaired left atrial strain parameters.Clinical relevance statementIn patients with β-thalassemia major, left atrial strain parameters were impaired compared to control subjects and emerged as a sensitive marker of cardiac complications, stronger than cardiac iron levels.Key Points•Compared to healthy subjects, β-thalassemia major patients demonstrated significantly lower left atrial reservoir strain and booster strains, as well as left atrial reservoir and booster strain rates.•In β-thalassemia major, ageing, sex, and left ventricular volume indexes were independent determinants of left atrial strain parameters, while left atrial strain parameters were not correlated with myocardial iron overload.•An independent association between reduced left atrial strain parameters and a history of cardiac complications was found in β-thalassemia major patients.
Source: European Radiology - Category: Radiology Source Type: research