Correlation Between Mean Red Cell Transfusion Demand And Chelation Therapy In Multiply Transfused Thalassemia Major Patients.

ABSTRACT

Abstracts Background & Objective: Life long red blood transfusion remains the main treatment for β thalassemia major patients. Transfusion-dependent patients, in the absence of chelation therapy, develop progressive accumulation of iron, which is responsible for tissue damage and, eventually, death. The factors, which influence the iron burden are type of chelation therapy and mean red cell transfusion requirement. Increasing red cell transfusion requirement, iron deposit and development of all antibodies complicates transfusion therapy in thalassemia patients. Aim is to investigate the patients for the red cell transfusion requirement compared on the basis of iron overload and type of chelation therapy. Methodology: Ninety eights patients were included in this study and samples collected and investigated for the red cell transfusion requirement, compared on the basis of iron overload and type of chelation therapy.Conclusion: Combination of two iron chelators (such as parenteral desferroxamine plus oral deferiprone) have been shown to produce additive and synergistic effects, may produce enhanced iron excretion, minimize side effects, decrease mean red cell transfusion requirement and improve compliance is strongly recommended in transfusion dependent thalassemia patients.