Quantitative assessment of cardiac function in children with beta-thalassemia major, using the doppler myocardial performance index

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Cardiac disease and early death due to my ocardial injuries because of Iron overload and hemosiderosis are still the major problems in the management of patients with beta-thalassemia major [BTM]. Valuable echocardiographic techniques have been limited in early detection of cardiac dysfunction in these patients. A new Doppler index combining systolic and diastolic time intervals [the Tei index] has been reported to be useful for assessment of global ventricular function in many cardiac diseases. The purpose of this study was to assess global ventricular function in children with BTM using Tei index and also to determine its correlation with hematologic parameters