Spoiled Gradient Echo T2* iron-loading measurements of the liver and myocardium in 12 year old male with severely reduced cardiac function from Thalassemia Major

Abstract

Introduction Beta-Thalassemia Major affects 60.000 births per annum world-wide, and a further 94 million carriers. Mutations in the β-globin gene results in severe anaemia, leaving patients dependent on blood transfusions throughout their life. Excessive absorption combined with transfusional haemosiderosis cause iron-overload in the myocardium and liver. There is a 50% mortality rate in BetaTalassemia Major patients before the age of 35 due to iron overload, with cardiac failure being the main cause of death.