Abstract:
INTRODUCTION:
Patients with thalassemia major, a chronic hemoglobinopathy that need lifelong
transfusions, are at risk for early atherosclerosis and other complications. The usefulness
of carotid intima-media thickness ultrasonographic assessment as a noninvasive screening
method for early atherosclerotic changes in patients with transfusion-dependent
thalassemia was investigated in the dissertation due to the urgency and significance of
early detection.
METHODOLOGY:
In the cross-sectional investigation, we tried to compare a cohort of transfusion-dependent
thalassemia patients to age- and sex-matched healthy controls. CIMT was measured using
standardized ultrasonographic procedures, and the results were compared to biochemical
indicators such as lipid profiles, serum ferritin, and inflammatory indices. The association
between iron burden and vascular changes was evaluated using sophisticated statistical
techniques, such as regression analysis and correlation research.
The results of our study are significant, showing that CIMT values were considerably
more significant in thalassemia patients than in controls, with a strong link between
increased CIMT and blood ferritin levels. These results imply that one of the leading
causes of early atherosclerosis in this population may be iron-induced endothelial
dysfunction. The study emphasizes how early intervention techniques to reduce
cardiovascular risk may be made possible by routinely integrating CIMT screening into
clinical practice, enlightening us on the potential for improved patient outcomes.
CONCLUSION:
The dissertation demonstrates that CIMT evaluation by ultrasonography is practical,
noninvasive method for the early identification of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients
of transfusion-dependent thalassemia. This early diagnosis can guide prompt treatment
decisions and potentially improve long-term cardiovascular outcomes. However, further
longitudinal research is needed to investigate the causative pathways and assess how
targeted therapies affect disease progression, enhancing our understanding and treatment
of thalassemia-related atherosclerosis.
