Brain Natriuretic Peptide as Sensitive Biomarker for Early Cardiac Affection in Adult Beta Thalassemia Patients

Abstract

his is a cross sectional study that was conducted in the clinical hematology department in Ain Shams University hospital. The study included 45 patients and 30 controls. For all the study groups, full history was taken; including history of blood transfusion, use of chelators and signs and symptoms of heart failure. Echo was done for the study group. At the same time blood sample of BNP was taken together with serum ferritin level. Our results have shown a strong statistical positive correlation between the BNP level in thalassemia patients compared to the control group and thalassemia major compared to intermediate and compared to the control. There is a statistically significant correlation between the BNP level and the frequency of iron transfusion and the serum ferritin level. There is a statistically significant correlation between the BNP level and the elevated right ventricular pressure.