• D T Kremastinos, G A Tsetsos, D P Tsiapras, G K Karavolias, V A Ladis, and C A Kattamis.
• 2nd Department of Cardiology, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Greece
• Am. J. Med. 2001 Oct 1; 111 (5): 349-54.

PurposeTo evaluate the survival of patients with beta thalassemia and heart failure who were treated with iron chelation therapy.Subjects And MethodsFifty-two consecutive patients with beta thalassemia and heart failure were followed in a prospective 5-year study. All patients underwent a full clinical examination with chest radiograph, electrocardiogram, and echocardiographic investigation performed at 6-month intervals or when a new symptom developed.ResultsOf the 52 patients (mean [+/- SD] age, 24 +/- 5 years), 25 (48%) survived 5 years after the onset of heart failure. Forty-three patients had left-sided heart failure, and 9 had right-sided heart failure. Those with left-sided heart failure were younger at presentation with heart failure (22 +/- 4 years vs. 31 +/- 6 years; P <0.001), had lower ejection fractions (36% +/- 9% vs. 64% +/- 10%; P <0.001), and had a lower mean serum ferritin level (3355 +/- 1241 ng/mL vs. 6,397 +/- 1,613 ng/mL; P <0.001).ConclusionThe 5-year survival rate in patients with beta thalassemia with heart failure was greater than previously reported. There are clinical characteristics that may make patients more likely to develop left- or right-sided heart failure.

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