Maria Marsella

CARDIAC IRON AND CARDIAC DISEASE IN MALES AND FEMALES WITH TRANSFUSION-DEPENDENT THALASSEMIA MAJOR: A T2* MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING STUDY

Background It has been repeatedly reported that female patients with thalassemia major survive longer than males and that the difference is due to a lower rate of cardiac disease in females. Design and Methods We compared the cardiac iron load as measured by T2* magnetic resonance imaging in 776 patients (370 males) examined at the National Research Council as part of an Italian cooperative study. We also established normal left ventricular ejection fraction values for our population. Results The prevalence of cardiac disease was higher in males than in females (105 males versus 69 females; P<0.0001). Cardiac T2* was significantly lower in patients with heart dysfunction (P<0.0001), but no difference was observed according to sex. Twenty males and five females had a history of cardiac arrhythmias. Their cardiac T2* was not significantly lower than that of patients without arrhythmias (24 ms versus 26 ms; P=0.381), nor was there a difference between sexes. Liver T2* was significantly lower in males and females with heart dysfunction compared to those without. Ferritin levels were higher in patients of both sexes with heart dysfunction without significant differences between males and females. Conclusions Males and females are at the same risk of accumulating iron in their hearts, but females tolerate iron toxicity better, possibly as an effect of reduced sensitivity to chronic oxidative stress.

The natural history of thalassemia intermedia.

The severity of thalassemia intermedia depends on the degree of imbalance between alpha and non‐alpha chains as well as other genetic and environmental factors that modify the natural history of the disease. By definition, the patients spontaneously maintain hemoglobin at or above 7 g/dL, sometimes at the price of intense hyperplasia of the bone marrow that is in turn responsible for bone deformities, osteoporosis, and extramedullary erythropoietic masses that often characterize thalassemia intermedia. Transfusion may become necessary with advancing age, during infection and pregnancy, and when hypersplenism develops. Splenectomy is often needed. Iron overload in nontransfused patients is due to increased gastrointestinal absorption and involves mainly the liver. Complications affecting the lives of patients with thalassemia intermedia include pulmonary hypertension, leg ulcers, pseudoxanthoma elasticum, gallstones, hepatocellular carcinoma, and thromboembolic events.

Transfusional Iron Overload and Iron Chelation Therapy in Thalassemia Major and Sickle Cell Disease

Iron overload is an inevitable consequence of blood transfusions and is often accompanied by increased iron absorption from the gut. Chelation therapy is necessary to prevent the consequences of hemosiderosis. Three chelators, deferoxamine, deferiprone, and deferasirox, are presently available and a fourth is undergoing clinical trials. The efficacy of all 3 available chelators has been demonstrated. Also, many studies have shown the efficacy of the combination of deferoxamine plus deferiprone as an intensive treatment of severe iron overload. Alternating chelators can reduce adverse effects and improve compliance. Adherence to therapy is crucial for good results.

A case of Poland Syndrome associated with dextroposition

Classical Poland Syndrome (PS) is characterized by unilateral, partial or complete absence of the sternocostal head of the major pectoral muscle and brachysyndactyly of fingers on the same side.We report the case of a newborn infant with dextrocardia and PS located on the left side.This association is very rare: to date only 19 cases have been described in scientific literature. In all reported cases, as in the present, the Poland defect involved the left side and was associated to rib defects, whereas most cases of PS are on the right side and few have rib defects. This case supports the view that dextrocardia follows the loss of volume of the left hemithorax caused by Poland sequence and that the combination of PS and dextrocardia is not coincidental.

Iron Chelation in Thalassemia Major

PURPOSE Iron chelation has improved survival and quality of life of patients with thalassemia major. there are currently 3 commercially available iron-chelating drugs with different pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic activity. The choice of adequate chelation treatment should be tailored to patient needs and based on up-to-date scientific evidence. METHODS A review of the most recent literature was performed. FINDINGS The ability of the chelators to bind the redox active component of iron, labile plasma iron, is crucial for protecting the cells. Chelation therapy should be guided by magnetic resonance imaging that permits the tailoring of therapy according to the needs of the patient because different chelators preferentially clear iron from different sites. Normal levels of body iron seem to decrease the need for hormonal and cardiac therapy. IMPLICATIONS The 3 chelators currently available have different benefits, different safety profiles, and different acceptance on the part of the patients. Good-quality, well-designed, randomized, long-term clinical trials continue to be needed.

Better survival and less cardiac morbidity in female patients with thalassemia major: a review of the literature.

Female patients with thalassemia and other hemoglobinopathies enjoy a longer survival when compared to males. We report data from the literature and from our own studies on gender differences in survival of thalassemia patients, and also examine this phenomenon in animals and in the general population. Some of the more widely accepted hypotheses that try to explain the differences in longevity between males and females are reviewed. The oxidative stress hypothesis is commonly accepted by the researchers on ageing, although further support for it is needed. In conclusion, it appears that male and female patients with transfusion‐dependent thalassemia major are at the same risk of accumulating iron, but females survive longer and develop less cardiac disease because they tolerate iron toxicity better, possibly as an effect of increased tolerance to chronic oxidative stress.

Universal neonatal screening for sickle cell disease and other haemoglobinopathies in Ferrara, Italy

BACKGROUND Sickle cell disease is the commonest haemoglobinopathy in Africa, the Middle East and India. In recent years, its incidence has increased dramatically also in Europe and North America because of the high rate of migration of people from endemic areas. From January 2009 to January 2010 the number of foreign residents in the province of Ferrara (Italy) increased by 12.2%: most of the immigrants were from countries at high risk of sickle cell disease. Since neonatal screening and prophylactic penicillin in early childhood could reduce mortality by 10 years of age to less than 2%, the aim of this study was to establish a neonatal screening programme for haemoglobinopathies in Ferrara. MATERIALS AND METHODS First we assessed how many pregnant women underwent haemoglobin analysis by high performance liquid chromatography before or during pregnancy and how many of them were carriers of haemoglobinopathies. Subsequently, we verified the feasibility of neonatal screening for sickle cell disease and other haemoglobinopathies, analysing cord blood by high performance liquid chromatography. Neonates found to be positive were managed by a multidisciplinary team to implement all the appropriate prophylactic and therapeutic measures. RESULTS We found that 59% of women who delivered at the University Hospital of Ferrara, from 2007 to 2009, had undergone high performance liquid chromatography. Of the 41% who were not tested, many were from areas in which sickle cell disease is common. Between September 26th 2010 and January 31st 2012, 1992 neonatal tests were performed and 24 carriers of haemoglobinopathies were identified (16 with HbS, 4 with HbC, 2 with HbE, 1 with HbD Punjab and 1 with HbD-Ouled Rabah); 42.6% of the mothers of these 1,992 neonates had not undergone high performance liquid chromatography during pregnancy. DISCUSSION Currently prevention of haemoglobinopathies in Italy is provided during the pre-conception period but only to patients with abnormal blood counts. Neonatal screening is useful and cost-effective to ensure early diagnosis and appropriate treatment for infants with sickle cell disease or other haemoglobinopathies.

A complicated disease: what can be done to manage thalassemia major more effectively?

Patients with thalassemia major suffer from many complications, but in the last two decades their lives have improved both in length and quality. We report herein the most common complications and the recent advances that have changed the course of this disease. Also, we report in detail some of the new therapeutic strategies already introduced in practice and briefly some that are still being developed.

Prenatal exposure to serotonin reuptake inhibitors: a case report

Two premature twins (33 weeks gestation) were born to a woman who had used paroxetine during pregnancy for an anxiety-depression disorder. They were admitted to the NICU, where they showed prolonged RDS, cardiovascular malformations, and facial dysmorphisms. Soon after birth, they also presented abnormal neurobehavioral and motor signs, which partially disappeared during the following weeks, although alterations of tone persisted even at discharge.Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants are considered the primary treatments for depression and anxiety in pregnancy. Since intrauterine exposure to these drugs has been associated with poor neonatal adaptation, low birth weight, RDS, neurobehavioural symptoms, and potential teratogenic effects, further studies are needed to assess risks and mechanism of action of SSRIs. Meanwhile, it is advisable to evaluate for each patient the real risk/benefit ratio of continuing or suspending treatment during pregnancy.

The long-term and extensive efficacy of low dose thalidomide in a case of an untransfusable patient with Non-Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia

Patients with Non-Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia may require regular transfusion therapy. However, these patients are at risk of developing irregular antibodies, making them untransfusable. Second line treatment usually includes hydroxyurea, which however is not effective in all patients. Other treatment options include thalidomide, which has been reported to be safe and effective in selected patients. We report the case of a patient who experienced improvement of hemoglobin levels and of a part of NTDT related complications, following 36months of continuous therapy with low doses of thalidomide.