What is it about?
Beta-thalassemia major is an inherited blood disorder that causes severe anemia and requires regular blood transfusions throughout life. Although these transfusions are essential, they can lead to excessive iron accumulation in the body, particularly in the heart. This may result in serious complications, including heart failure, irregular heart rhythms, and increased pressure in the lung arteries. This review examines why these heart complications develop, identifies factors that increase their risk, and discusses methods for their early detection and prevention. Particular attention is given to cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which measures iron accumulation in the heart, and emerging blood biomarkers that may help identify patients at greater risk. The review also highlights the importance of regular heart examinations, effective iron-removal treatments, and personalized medical care to improve patients' health and long-term survival.
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Why is it important?
Beta-thalassemia major is an inherited blood disorder that causes severe anemia and requires regular blood transfusions throughout life. Although these transfusions are essential, they can lead to excessive iron accumulation in the body, particularly in the heart. This may result in serious complications, including heart failure, irregular heart rhythms, and increased pressure in the lung arteries. This review examines why these heart complications develop, identifies factors that increase their risk, and discusses methods for their early detection and prevention. Particular attention is given to cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which measures iron accumulation in the heart, and emerging blood biomarkers that may help identify patients at greater risk. The review also highlights the importance of regular heart examinations, effective iron-removal treatments, and personalized medical care to improve patients' health and long-term survival.
Perspectives
As a cardiologist and co-author of this review, I believe that preventing cardiovascular complications is one of the most important priorities in the long-term management of patients with beta-thalassemia major. Although advances in blood transfusion and iron chelation therapy have significantly improved survival, heart disease remains a major clinical challenge. My particular interest lies in the early identification of cardiac involvement, ideally before patients develop symptoms or irreversible myocardial damage. I believe that integrating advanced cardiac imaging, particularly cardiac MRI with T2* assessment, with emerging biomarkers and individualized risk evaluation may significantly improve clinical decision-making. Through this publication, I hope to raise awareness among cardiologists, hematologists, and other healthcare professionals about the importance of proactive cardiovascular surveillance, multidisciplinary collaboration, and personalized preventive strategies. Ultimately, our goal should extend beyond prolonging survival to preserving cardiac function and improving the long-term quality of life of patients living with beta-thalassemia major.
Mahmoud Ramadan
University of Sharjah
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The Association between β-Thalassemia Major (β-TM) and Cardiac Complications: Recent Insights, Current Cardiology Reviews, March 2026, Bentham Science Publishers,
DOI: 10.2174/011573403x376074250630065253.
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