Echocardiographic Parameters of Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Thalassemic Patients

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Published: Feb 20, 2014
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31524/bkkmedj.2014.02.002
Keywords:
right ventricular function, thalassemia, pulmonary hypertension, PH

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Annop Lekhakul, MD
Hematologic Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodhi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
O See, MD
Hematologic Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodhi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Sukit Yamwong, MD
Hematologic Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodhi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Suporn Chunchrunee, MD
Hematologic Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodhi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate pulmonary hypertension (PH) in asymptomatic thalassemic patients using echocardiographic right ventricular (RV) parameters.


MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. We assessed 32 ambulatory asymptomatic thalassemia cases both clinically and using echocardiographic parameters. PH was observed in 13 (40%) patients.


RESULTS:Unpaired two tail t-test between groups show significant difference in RV echocardiographic parameter S’ (p = 0.03), E’ (p = 0.016) and Tricuspid valve (TV) E/E’ (p = 0.04). Other RV echocardiographic parameters such as the right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), A, and Tei index are insignificant.


CONCLUSION: PH was found in 40% of asymptomatic thalassemic patients. Of all echocardiographic RV parameters, we found that the tissue doppler imaging (TDI): S’, E’ and TV E/E’ are the best tools for screening. This tool detects early RV dysfunction in asymptomatic thalassemias with PH.

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1.
Lekhakul A, See O, Yamwong S, Chunchrunee S. Echocardiographic Parameters of Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Thalassemic Patients. BKK Med J [Internet]. 2014 Feb. 20 [cited 2026 Nov. 9];7(1):7. Available from: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/bkkmedj/article/view/218718
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Vol. 7 (2014): February
Section
Original Article
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