Myocardial scarring by delayed enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance in thalassaemia major

Background:Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) by delayed enhancement (DE) enables visualisation of myocardial scarring, but no dedicated studies are available in thalassaemia major.Objective:To investigate the prevalence, extent, clinical and instrumental correlates of myocardial fibrosis or necrosis by DE CMR in patients with thalassaemia major.Patients:115 Patients with thalassaemia major consecutively examined at an MRI laboratory.Methods:DE images were acquired to quantify myocardial scarring. Myocardial iron overload was determined by multislice multiecho T2*. Cine images were obtained to evaluate biventricular function.Results:DE areas were present in 28/115 patients (24%). The mean (SD) extent of DE was 3.9 (2.4)%. In 26 patients the location of fibrosis was not specific and patchy distribution was prevalent. Two patients showed transmural DE following coronary distribution. The DE group was significantly older than the no-DE group (31 (7.7) years vs 26 (7.7) years, p = 0.004). No significant relation with heart T2* values and biventricular function was found. A significant correlation was found between the presence of DE and changes in ECG (ECG abnormal in the DE group 22/28 patients and in the no-DE group 30/87 patients; χ2 = 14.9; p