Ultrasonographic screening for premature atherosclerosis in transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients by measuring carotid intima-medial thickness (cimt)

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.