Favorable Pulse Wave Augmentation Indices and Left Ventricular Diastolic Profile in β-Thalassemia Minor

Abstract

β-Thalassemia minor (β-Τm) is associated with rheological and biochemical alterations that can affect cardiovascular function. We aimed to evaluate the elastic arterial properties and the pulse wave augmentation indices in a population of patients with β-Τm. Seventy-five individuals with β-Τm (age 55.5 [42.75-65.25], women 48%) and 127 controls (age 57 years [48-63], women 55.1%) underwent comprehensive echocardiographic evaluation and applanation tonometry of the radial and femoral artery. Pulse wave analysis revealed that augmentation pressure, augmentation index (AIx), and heart rate-corrected AIx were significantly lower (median [interquartile range]: 8.75 [4.625-13] vs 11 [6.5-14.5], P = .017; 26.5 [17.5-33.375] vs 30.5 [20.75-37.5], P = .014; and 22.25 [15.125-29.5] vs 27 [20.5-33], P = .008, respectively) in the β-Τm group compared to controls. The left atrial active emptying volume was significantly lower and the isovolumic relaxation time was shorter in the β-Τm group compared to the control group (10.2 [7.4-14.4] vs 12.0 [8.6-15.8], P = .040 and 78 [70-90] vs 90 [70-104], P = .034, respectively). β-Thalassemia minor is associated with favorable pulse wave augmentation indices and left ventricular diastolic function profile in asymptomatic individuals with cardiovascular risk factors.

Keywords: arterial stiffness; diastolic function; β-thalassemia minor.