A Comparison Between MRIT2 and NT-ProBNP in Early Detection of Heart Diseases in Thalassemia Major Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

One of the most common causes of mortality in major thalassemia is cardiac complications. Despite existence of several methods for diagnosis of cardiac complications in thalassemia, this sequel persists as a major problem in these patients. The aim of this study is to compare the level of serum NT-ProBNP and cardiac MRI T2* in early detection and treatment of cardiac disorders in beta thalassemia major patients. 35 major thalassemic patients on regular transfusion were selected in our center from 2013 to 2014. All of the patients were at least 8 years old. NT-ProBNP and MRIT2* analyses were carried out for these patients, and consequently the findings were compared together and analyzed. There is a strong correlation between NT-ProBNP and MRIT2* (p value < 0.001) in early detection of cardiac disorders. NT-ProBNP is an important marker for diagnosis of cardiac complications before emergence of heart failure in thalassemic patients. Given the findings of this study, it is recommended that this marker be used on a regular basis for thalassemic patients on regular transfusion.