Cardiovascular Complications in β-Thalassemia: Getting to the Heart of It

Beta thalassemia is an inherited disorder resulting in abnormal or decreased production of hemoglobin, leading to hemolysis and chronic anemia. The long-term complications can affect multiple organ systems, namely the liver, heart, endocrine. Myocardial iron overload a common finding β-thalassemia. As result, different cardiovascular form cardiomyopathy, pulmonary hypertension, arrhythmias, vasculopathies occur, extreme cases, sudden cardiac death. Each these pertains underlying etiologies risk factors, which highlights importance early diagnosis prevention. In this review, we will discuss types that manifest patients with β-thalassemia, addition current diagnostic modalities, preventive treatment modalities for complications.