ASSESSMENT OF LEFT VENTRICULAR FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH THALASSEMIA BY QUANTITATIVE TISSUE DOPPLER ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY

Thalassemia is a group of common inherited disorders due to genetic defects characterized by a decrease or lack of synthesis of either the α or ß-globin chains of normal Hb. Overproduction of the unaffected chain causes aggregation and hemolysisof RBCs, leading to anemia. Symptoms of thalassemia occur when not enough oxygen gets to various parts of the body due to low levels of hemoglobin which is the molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen to cells throughout the body .The regular transfusion program required for sustenance of life and the increased gastrointestinal absorption of iron lead to iron overload and irontoxicity in many organs including the heart .