Can myocardial remodeling be a useful surrogate predictor of myocardial iron load? A 3D echocardiographic multicentric study

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2018 Oct;65(10):e27272. doi: 10.1002/pbc.27272. Epub 2018 Jun 6.

Abstract

The relationship between myocardial iron load and eccentric myocardial remodeling remains an under-investigated area; it was thought that remodeling is rather linked to fibrosis. This study aims to determine whether or not measures of remodeling can be used as predictors of myocardial iron. For this purpose, 60 patients with thalassemia were studied with 3D echocardiography and myocardial relaxometry (T2*) by Cardiac MRI. 3D derived sphericity index was significantly higher in patients with myocardial iron load. It was correlated with T2* with a 100% sensitivity and specificity (cut-off value of 0.34) to discriminate between patients with and without myocardial iron overload.

Keywords: 3D derived sphericity index; cardiac MRI derived T2*; myocardial iron load.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Cardiomyopathies / diagnostic imaging*
  • Child
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Iron Overload / diagnostic imaging*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Myocardium / pathology
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Ventricular Remodeling
  • beta-Thalassemia*