AbstractBackgroundNoninvasive T2* magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment can stratify the risk of subsequent cardiac dysfunction in β-thalassemia major (TM) and β-thalassemia intermedia (TI) patients. The normal level of N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptides (NT-proBNP) can rule out acute heart failure.AimWe aim to investigate the relation of NT-proBNP level, T2* MRI, and echocardiographic findings in TM and TI patients.Materials and methodsIn this cross-sectional study, 41 TM patients, 41 TI patients, and 41 healthy individuals (HI) were enrolled. NT-proBNP level, T2* MRI, and two-dimensional echocardiography were assessed for all patients and controls.ResultsThere was statistically significant correlation between NT-proBNP levels and mitral inflow late diastolic velocity (r = −0.538; p = 0.006) in TM group. There was statistically significant correlation between NT-proBNP levels and tricuspid annulus systolic velocity (r = −0.438; p = 0.028), systolic velocity of septum (r = −0.472; p = 0.020), and mitral inflow early-to-late diastolic wave ratio (r = 0.592; p = 0.002) in TM group.ConclusionEarly diagnosis and treatment of myocardial iron overload are likely to prevent the mortality in patients with established ventricular dysfunction. Since NT-proBNP levels were not significantly increased in documented left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction, this factor may not be sensitive for the detection of latent LV diastolic dysfunction in the early stages of disease progression.

Background: Atrial septal defect and its closure can lead to changes in the right and left cardiac cavities' function and size. In this study, Z-scores of the cardiac chambers and the heart function were assessed, and the important complications were mentioned. Methods: This interventional cross-sectional study was done on patients who had atrial septal defect closure aged younger than 18 years. All patients were recruited for transthoracic echocardiography. About half of the patients were randomly selected. The information of angiography and its side effects belong to all patients, but the echocardiographic parameters and Z-scores belong only to the selected group. Results: A total of 370 patients underwent the atrial septal defect closure, of whom 150 patients participated in the study. The patients' average age and weight were 9.25 ± 3.44 years and 15.12 ± 11.83 kg, respectively, and the mean follow-up time was 2.56 years. Z-scores of the interventricular septal dimension in diastole, the left ventricular posterior wall dimension in diastole, the left ventricular internal dimension in systole, and Z-scores of the size of the right atrium, right ventricle, pulmonary valve annulus, and the main pulmonary artery were more than Z-scores of the normal population. Furthermore, Z-scores of the E/A and the Eat/Aat of the tricuspid valve were less than their peers. Besides, the correlation between Z-scores and the atrial septal defect size and weight of the patients was assessed, which was statistically significant, and patients who underwent atrial special defect closure at the age of fewer than three years and less than 15 kg had more normal cardiac Z-scores. Conclusions: Z-scores of the cardiac chambers and pulmonary artery were more than normal after successful closure of the atrial septal defect in the mid-term follow-up.