Frequency of pulmonary hypertension in asymptomatic β-thalassemia major patients and the role of physiological parameters in evaluation.

In this study, the authors aimed to evaluate the frequency of pulmonary hypertension (PHT) in asymptomatic thalassemia major (TM) patients, and to investigate the impact of pulmonary function test (PFT) and CO diffusion results on the evaluation of pulmonary hypertension. Data from 50 asymptomatic patients with TM over age 10 were evaluated. Pulmonary hypertension was diagnosed in 10 patients (20%). High tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity was found in 14% of adults and in 25% of children. Pulmonary function test including CO diffusion testing results were not different between the TM patients with or without pulmonary hypertension. In conclusion, PHT was frequent among TM patients even they were asymptomatic and although PFT results has shown lack of association, it should be investigated in larger population.