Effect of Trisodium Calcium Diethylenetriaminepentaacetate on Bivalent Cations in Thalassemia Major.

By URSULA MULLER-EBERHARD, MARION E. ERLAXDSON, H. EARL GINN AND CARL H. SMITH T HALASSEMIA MAJOR is one of the conditions in which severe secondary hemochromatosis occurs as a principal complication. This type of hemochromatosis is manifest at an earlier age than is primary hemochromatosis. In addition to parenteral administration of iron in the form of frequent blood transfusions, increased intestinal absorption permits marked accumulation of iron in patients with this disorder.’ Excess depositiomi of iron in tissues occurs in association with aberration in physiologic function of vital organs and with increased morbidity and early mortality in patients with thalassemia major. Consequently, prevention of extensive accumulalion or elimination of excessive iron from the body might be an important factor in altering the course of the disease. Recently Fahey et al. reported an appreciable urinary excretion of iron from patients with primary and secondary hemochromatosis following intravenous or intramuscular administration of a chelating agent, trisodium calcium diethylenetriaminepentaacetate ( DTPA* ) . The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of DTPA on cxcretion of iron in a group of patients with thalassemia major. The purpose of this presentation is to confirm the efficacy of this agent in removing iron and to comment upon changes in blood levels and urinary excretion of other bivalent cations following DTPA administration.