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Ricchi P, Pistoia L, Positano V, Spasiano A, Casini T, Putti MC, Borsellino Z, Cossu A, Messina G, Keilberg P, Fatigati C, Costantini S, Renne S, Peritore G, Cademartiri F, Meloni A. Liver steatosis in patients with transfusion-dependent thalassaemia. Br J Haematol 2024; 204:2458-2467. [PMID: 38685724 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.19496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
We evaluated the prevalence and the clinical associations of liver steatosis (LS) in patients with transfusion-dependent thalassaemia (TDT). We considered 301 TDT patients (177 females, median age = 40.61 years) enrolled in the Extension-Myocardial Iron Overload in Thalassaemia Network, and 25 healthy subjects. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to quantify iron overload and hepatic fat fraction (FF) by T2* technique and cardiac function by cine images. The glucose metabolism was assessed by the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Hepatic FF was significantly higher in TDT patients than in healthy subjects (median value: 1.48% vs. 0.55%; p = 0.013). In TDT, hepatic FF was not associated with age, gender, serum ferritin levels or liver function parameters, but showed a weak inverse correlation with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The 36.4% of TDT patients showed LS (FF >3.7%). Active hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, increased body mass index and hepatic iron were independent determinants of LS. A hepatic FF >3.53% predicted the presence of an abnormal OGTT. Hepatic FF was not correlated with cardiac iron, biventricular volumes or ejection fractions, but was correlated with left ventricular mass index. In TDT, LS is a frequent finding, associated with iron overload, increased weight and HCV, and conveying an increased risk for the alterations of glucose metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Ricchi
- Unità Operativa Semplice Dipartimentale Malattie Rare del Globulo Rosso, Azienda Ospedaliera di Rilievo Nazionale "A. Cardarelli", Napoli, Italy
| | - Laura Pistoia
- U.O.C. Ricerca Clinica, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Positano
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
- Bioengineering Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Anna Spasiano
- Unità Operativa Semplice Dipartimentale Malattie Rare del Globulo Rosso, Azienda Ospedaliera di Rilievo Nazionale "A. Cardarelli", Napoli, Italy
| | - Tommaso Casini
- Oncologia, Ematologia e Trapianto di Cellule Staminali Emopoietiche, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Firenze, Italy
| | - Maria Caterina Putti
- Dipartimento Della Salute Della Donna e del Bambino, Clinica di Emato-Oncologia Pediatrica, Azienda Ospedaliero-Università di Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Zelia Borsellino
- Unità Operativa Complessa Ematologia Con Talassemia, ARNAS Civico "Benfratelli-Di Cristina", Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonella Cossu
- Servizio Immunoematologia e Medicina Trasfusionale - Dipartimento Dei Servizi, Presidio Ospedaliero "San Francesco" ASL Nuoro, Nuoro, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Messina
- Centro Microcitemie, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano "Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli", Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Petra Keilberg
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Carmina Fatigati
- Unità Operativa Semplice Dipartimentale Malattie Rare del Globulo Rosso, Azienda Ospedaliera di Rilievo Nazionale "A. Cardarelli", Napoli, Italy
| | - Silvia Costantini
- Unità Operativa Semplice Dipartimentale Malattie Rare del Globulo Rosso, Azienda Ospedaliera di Rilievo Nazionale "A. Cardarelli", Napoli, Italy
| | - Stefania Renne
- Struttura Complessa di Cardioradiologia-UTIC, Presidio Ospedaliero "Giovanni Paolo II", Lamezia Terme, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Peritore
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Radiologia, ARNAS Civico "Benfratelli-Di Cristina", Palermo, Italy
| | - Filippo Cademartiri
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonella Meloni
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
- Bioengineering Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
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Meloni A, Pistoia L, Putti MC, Longo F, Corigliano E, Ricchi P, Rossi V, Casini T, Righi R, Renne S, Peritore G, Barbuto L, Positano V, Cademartiri F. Pancreatic iron in pediatric transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia patients: A longitudinal MRI study. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2024; 71:e30923. [PMID: 38385860 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.30923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In pediatric transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) patients, we evaluated the prevalence, pattern, and clinical associations of pancreatic siderosis and the changes in pancreatic iron levels and their association with baseline and changes in total body iron balance. PROCEDURE We considered 86 pediatric TDT patients consecutively enrolled in the Extension-Myocardial Iron Overload in Thalassemia Network. Iron overload (IO) was quantified by R2* magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). RESULTS Sixty-three (73%) patients had pancreatic IO (R2* > 38 Hz). Global pancreas R2* values were significantly correlated with mean serum ferritin levels, MRI liver iron concentration (LIC) values, and global heart R2* values. Global pancreas R2* values were significantly higher in patients with altered versus normal glucose metabolism. Thirty-one patients also performed the follow-up MRI at 18 ± 3 months. Higher pancreatic R2* values were detected at the follow-up, but the difference versus the baseline MRI was not significant. The 20% of patients with baseline pancreatic IO showed no pancreatic IO at the follow-up. The 46% of patients without baseline pancreatic IO developed pancreatic siderosis. The changes in global pancreas R2* between the two MRIs were not correlated with baseline serum ferritin levels, baseline, final, and changes in MRI LIC values, or baseline pancreatic iron levels. CONCLUSIONS In children with TDT, pancreatic siderosis is a frequent finding associated with hepatic siderosis and represents a risk factor for myocardial siderosis and alterations of glucose metabolism. Iron removal from the pancreas is exceptionally challenging and independent from hepatic iron status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Meloni
- Bioengineering Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Pistoia
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
- U.O.C. Ricerca Clinica, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Caterina Putti
- Dipartimento della Salute della Donna e del Bambino, Clinica di Emato-Oncologia Pediatrica, Azienda Ospedaliero-Università di Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Filomena Longo
- Unità Operativa Day Hospital della Talassemia e delle Emoglobinopatie, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria "S. Anna,", Cona, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Ricchi
- U.O.S.D. Malattie Rare del Globulo Rosso, Azienda Ospedaliera di Rilievo Nazionale "A. Cardarelli", Naples, Italy
| | | | - Tommaso Casini
- SOC Oncologia, Ematologia e Trapianto di Cellule Staminali Emopoietiche, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
| | - Riccardo Righi
- Diagnostica per Immagini e Radiologia Interventistica, Ospedale del Delta, Lagosanto, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Stefania Renne
- Struttura Complessa di Cardioradiologia-UTIC, Presidio Ospedaliero "Giovanni Paolo II,", Lamezia Terme, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Peritore
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Radiologia, "ARNAS" Civico, Di Cristina Benfratelli, Palermo, Italy
| | - Luigi Barbuto
- U.O.C. Radiologia Generale e di Pronto Soccorso, Azienda Ospedaliera di Rilievo Nazionale "A. Cardarelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Positano
- Bioengineering Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Filippo Cademartiri
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
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Meloni A, Pistoia L, Spasiano A, Cossu A, Casini T, Massa A, Bagnato S, Putti MC, Maffei S, Positano V, Pepe A, Cademartiri F, Vassalle C. Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Status in Adult Patients with Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia: Correlation with Demographic, Laboratory, and Clinical Biomarkers. Antioxidants (Basel) 2024; 13:446. [PMID: 38671894 PMCID: PMC11047726 DOI: 10.3390/antiox13040446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Iron overload in beta transfusion-dependent thalassemia (β-TDT) may provoke oxidative stress and reduction of the antioxidant defenses, with serious consequences for the disease course and complications. The present study evaluated the oxidant/antioxidant status of β-TDT patients and its correlation with demographic, clinical, laboratory, and instrumental biomarkers. The OXY-adsorbent assay and the d-ROMs (Diacron, Grosseto, Italy) were evaluated in 58 β-TDT patients (mean age: 37.55 ± 7.83 years, 28 females) enrolled in the Extension-Myocardial Iron Overload in Thalassemia Network. Iron overload was quantified with R2* magnetic resonance imaging. Mean OXY was 323.75 ± 113.19 μmol HClO/mL and 39 (67.2%) patients showed a decreased OXY-Adsorbent level (<350 μmol HClO/mL), of whom 22 (37.9%) showed severely reduced levels. Mean d-ROMs was 305.12 ± 62.19 UA; 12 (20.7%) patients showed oxidative stress, and 4 (6.9%) elevated oxidative stress. OXY showed a significant negative correlation with global and segmental cardiac iron levels. D-ROMs levels significantly correlated with markers of cardiovascular risk (aging, glycemia, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide). Antioxidant depletion is frequent in β-TDT patients, where OXY might serve as additive biomarker to assess heart iron status, whereas the d-ROMs might be helpful to assess the cardiovascular risk burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Meloni
- Bioengineering Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (V.P.)
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (L.P.); (F.C.)
| | - Laura Pistoia
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (L.P.); (F.C.)
- Unità Operativa Complessa Ricerca Clinica, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Anna Spasiano
- Unità Operativa Semplice, Dipartimentale Malattie Rare del Globulo Rosso, Azienda Ospedaliera di Rilievo Nazionale “A. Cardarelli”, 80131 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Antonella Cossu
- Ambulatorio Trasfusionale—Servizio Immunoematologia e Medicina Trasfusionale, Dipartimento dei Servizi, Presidio Ospedaliero “San Francesco”, 08100 Nuoro, Italy;
| | - Tommaso Casini
- Oncologia, Ematologia e Trapianto di Cellule Staminali Emopoietiche, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, 50139 Firenze, Italy;
| | - Antonella Massa
- Servizio Trasfusionale, Ospedale “Giovanni Paolo II”, 07026 Olbia, Italy;
| | - Sergio Bagnato
- Ematologia Microcitemia, Ospedale San Giovanni di Dio—ASP Crotone, 88900 Crotone, Italy;
| | - Maria Caterina Putti
- Dipartimento della Salute della Donna e del Bambino, Clinica di Emato-Oncologia Pediatrica, Azienda Ospedaliero, Università di Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy;
| | - Silvia Maffei
- Cardiovascular and Gynaecological Endocrinology Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Vincenzo Positano
- Bioengineering Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (V.P.)
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (L.P.); (F.C.)
| | - Alessia Pepe
- Institute of Radiology, University of Padua, 35128 Padova, Italy;
| | - Filippo Cademartiri
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (L.P.); (F.C.)
| | - Cristina Vassalle
- Medicina di Laboratorio, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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Chuansumrit A, Songdej D, Sirachainan N, Kadegasem P, Saisawat P, Sungkarat W, Kempka K, Tungbubpha N. Efficacy and Safety of a Dispersible Tablet of GPO-Deferasirox Monotherapy among Children with Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia and Iron Overload. Hemoglobin 2024; 48:47-55. [PMID: 38369714 DOI: 10.1080/03630269.2024.2311360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
The study aimed to determine efficacy and safety of generic deferasirox monotherapy. Deferasirox was administered in transfusion-induced iron overloaded thalassemia. Efficacy was defined as responders and nonresponders by ≤ 15 reduced serum ferritin from baseline. Adverse events were also monitored. Fifty-two patients with mainly Hb E/β-thalassemia at the mean (SD) age of 8.7 (4.1) years, were enrolled. The mean (SD) daily transfusion iron load was 0.47 (0.1) mg/kg and maximum daily deferasirox was 35.0 (6.2) mg/kg. Altogether, 52, 40 and 18 patients completed the first, second and third years of study, respectively. The median baseline serum ferritin 2,383 ng/mL decreased to 1,478, 1,038 and 1,268 ng/mL at the end of first, second and third years, respectively, with overall response rate at 73.1% (38/52). Patients with baseline serum ferritin >2,500 ng/mL showed a change in serum ferritin higher than those ≤2,500 ng/mL starting from the 9th month of chelation. Adverse events were found in 5 of 52 patients (9.6%) including transaminitis (n = 2), one each of proteinuria, rash and proximal tubular dysfunction which resolved after transient stopping or decreasing the chelation dose. Generic deferasirox was effective and safe among pediatric patients with transfusion-induced iron overloaded thalassemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ampaiwan Chuansumrit
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Duantida Songdej
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nongnuch Sirachainan
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Praguywan Kadegasem
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pawaree Saisawat
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Witaya Sungkarat
- Department of Radiology and Advanced Diagnostic Image Center, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ketsuda Kempka
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Noppawan Tungbubpha
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Meloni A, Pistoia L, Vassalle C, Spasiano A, Fotzi I, Bagnato S, Putti MC, Cossu A, Massei F, Giovangrossi P, Maffei S, Positano V, Cademartiri F. Low Vitamin D Levels Are Associated with Increased Cardiac Iron Uptake in Beta-Thalassemia Major. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:3656. [PMID: 38132240 PMCID: PMC10742632 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13243656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
We evaluated the association of vitamin D and parathormone (PTH) levels with cardiac iron and function in beta-thalassemia major (β-TM) patients. Two-hundred and seventy-eight TM patients (39.04 ± 8.58 years, 56.8% females) underwent magnetic resonance imaging for the assessment of iron overload (T2* technique), biventricular function parameters (cine images), and replacement myocardial fibrosis (late gadolinium enhancement technique). Vitamin D levels were deficient (<20 ng/dL) in 107 (38.5%) patients, insufficient (20-30 ng/dL) in 96 (34.5%) patients, and sufficient (≥30 ng/dL) in 75 (27.0%) patients. Deficient vitamin D patients had a significantly higher frequency of myocardial iron overload (MIO; global heart T2* < 20 ms) than patients with sufficient and insufficient vitamin D levels and a significantly higher left ventricular end-diastolic volume index and mass index than patients with sufficient vitamin D levels. PTH was not associated with cardiac iron, function, or fibrosis. In the multivariate regression analysis, vitamin D, serum ferritin, and pancreatic iron levels were the strongest predictors of global heart T2* values. In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, a vitamin D level ≤ 17.3 ng/dL predicted MIO with a sensitivity of 81.5% and a specificity of 75.3% (p < 0.0001). In TM, the periodic and regular assessment of vitamin D levels can be beneficial for the prevention of cardiac iron accumulation and subsequent overt dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Meloni
- Bioengineering Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR—Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (V.P.)
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR—Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Laura Pistoia
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR—Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
- Unità Operativa Complessa Ricerca Clinica, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR—Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Cristina Vassalle
- Medicina di Laboratorio, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR—Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Anna Spasiano
- Unità Operativa Semplice Dipartimentale Malattie Rare del Globulo Rosso, Azienda Ospedaliera di Rilievo Nazionale “A. Cardarelli”, 80131 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Ilaria Fotzi
- Oncologia, Ematologia e Trapianto di Cellule Staminali Emopoietiche, Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, 50139 Firenze, Italy;
| | - Sergio Bagnato
- Ematologia Microcitemia, Ospedale San Giovanni di Dio—ASP Crotone, 88900 Crotone, Italy;
| | - Maria Caterina Putti
- Dipartimento della Salute della Donna e del Bambino, Clinica di Emato-Oncologia Pediatrica, Azienda Ospedaliero Università di Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy;
| | - Antonella Cossu
- Ambulatorio Trasfusionale—Servizio Immunoematologia e Medicina Trasfusionale Dipartimento dei Servizi, Presidio Ospedaliero “San Francesco”, 08100 Nuoro, Italy;
| | - Francesco Massei
- Unità Operativa Oncoematologia Pediatrica, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana—Stabilimento S. Chiara, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Piera Giovangrossi
- Servizio di Immunoematologia e Medicina Trasfusionale, Ospedale S. M. Goretti, 04100 Latina, Italy;
| | - Silvia Maffei
- Cardiovascular and Gynaecological Endocrinology Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR—Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Vincenzo Positano
- Bioengineering Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR—Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (V.P.)
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR—Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Filippo Cademartiri
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR—Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy;
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Meloni A, Pistoia L, Positano V, Spasiano A, Putti MC, Fotzi I, Corigliano E, Cossu A, Massa A, Massei F, Alberini G, Cademartiri F. Correlates of splenic T2* measurements in transfusion-dependent thalassaemia and comparison between non-splenectomised and splenectomised patients. Br J Haematol 2023; 203:e93-e97. [PMID: 37559348 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.19034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Meloni
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
- U.O.C. Bioingegneria, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Pistoia
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
- U.O.S.V.D. Ricerca Clinica, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Positano
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
- U.O.C. Bioingegneria, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Anna Spasiano
- U.O.S.D. Malattie Rare del Globulo Rosso, Azienda Ospedaliera di Rilievo Nazionale "A. Cardarelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Caterina Putti
- Dipartimento della Salute della Donna e del Bambino, Clinica di Emato-Oncologia Pediatrica, Azienda Ospedaliero-Università di Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Ilaria Fotzi
- SOC Oncologia, Ematologia e Trapianto di Cellule Staminali Emopoietiche, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Antonella Cossu
- Ambulatorio Trasfusionale - Servizio Immunoematologia e Medicina Trasfusionale Dipartimento dei Servizi, Presidio Ospedaliero "San Francesco" ASL Nuoro, Nuoro, Italy
| | - Antonella Massa
- Servizio Trasfusionale, Ospedale "Giovanni Paolo II", Olbia, Italy
| | - Francesco Massei
- UO Oncoematologia Pediatrica, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana - Stabilimento S. Chiara, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gianna Alberini
- U.O.C. INFOTEL Translational BioInformatics and eHealth, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Filippo Cademartiri
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
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7
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Meloni A, Barbuto L, Positano V, Pistoia L, Spasiano A, Casini T, Massei F, Argento C, Giovangrossi P, Barone A, Romano L, Cademartiri F. Pattern and clinical correlates of renal iron deposition in adult beta-thalassemia major patients. Clin Exp Med 2023; 23:3573-3579. [PMID: 37433990 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-023-01133-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
We evaluated pattern and clinical correlates of renal T2* measurements in adult β-thalassemia major (β-TM) patients. Ninety β-TM patients (48 females, 38.15 ± 7.94 years), consecutively enrolled in the Extension-Myocardial Iron Overload in Thalassemia network, underwent T2* magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for quantification of iron overload (IO) in kidneys, liver, pancreas, and heart. Ten (11.1%) patients showed renal IO (T2* < 31 ms). Global kidney T2* values did not show a correlation with gender, age, splenectomy, regular transfusions or chelation starting age, pre-transfusion hemoglobin, and serum ferritin levels. Global kidney T2* values showed an inverse correlation with MRI liver iron concentration (LIC) values (R = - 0.349; p = 0.001) and a positive correlation with global pancreas T2* values (R = 0.212; p = 0.045). Frequency of renal IO was significantly higher in patients with cardiac IO than in patients without cardiac IO (50.0% vs. 6.3%; p = 0.001). A significant inverse association was detected between global kidneys T2* values and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (R = - 0.529; p < 0.0001). In multivariate regression analysis, MRI LIC and LDH were the strongest predictors of global kidney T2* values. A MRI LIC > 4.83 mg/g dw predicted the presence of renal IO (sensitivity = 90.0%; specificity = 61.2%). Global kidney T2* values were inversely correlated with uric acid (R = - 0.269; p = 0.025). In conclusion, in adult β-TM patients, renal iron deposition is not common and is linked to both hemolysis and total body iron overload.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Meloni
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Via Moruzzi, 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
- U.O.C. Bioingegneria, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Luigi Barbuto
- U.O.C. Radiologia Generale E Di Pronto Soccorso, Azienda Ospedaliera Di Rilievo Nazionale "A. Cardarelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Positano
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Via Moruzzi, 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
- U.O.C. Bioingegneria, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Pistoia
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Via Moruzzi, 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
- U.O.S.V.D. Ricerca Clinica, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Anna Spasiano
- U.O.S.D. Malattie Rare del Globulo Rosso, Azienda Ospedaliera di Rilievo Nazionale "A. Cardarelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Tommaso Casini
- S.O.C. Oncologia, Ematologia e Trapianto di Cellule Staminali Emopoietiche, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesco Massei
- U.O. Oncoematologia Pediatrica, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana - Stabilimento S. Chiara, Pisa, Italy
| | - Crocetta Argento
- Centro Di Talasssemia, Ospedale "San Giovanni Di Dio", Agrigento, Italy
| | - Piera Giovangrossi
- Servizio Di Immunoematologia E Medicina Trasfusionale, Ospedale S. M. Goretti, Latina, Italy
| | - Angelica Barone
- Unità Operativa di Pediatria e Oncoematologia - Dipartimento Materno-Infantile, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Luigia Romano
- U.O.C. Radiologia Generale E Di Pronto Soccorso, Azienda Ospedaliera Di Rilievo Nazionale "A. Cardarelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Filippo Cademartiri
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Via Moruzzi, 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy.
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8
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Meloni A, Nobile M, Keilberg P, Positano V, Santarelli MF, Pistoia L, Spasiano A, Casini T, Putti MC, Cuccia L, Bitti PP, Messina G, Peritore G, Renne S, Grassedonio E, Quaia E, Cademartiri F, Pepe A. Pancreatic fatty replacement as risk marker for altered glucose metabolism and cardiac iron and complications in thalassemia major. Eur Radiol 2023; 33:7215-7225. [PMID: 37115218 PMCID: PMC10511559 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-023-09630-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This multicenter study assessed the extent of pancreatic fatty replacement and its correlation with demographics, iron overload, glucose metabolism, and cardiac complications in a cohort of well-treated patients with thalassemia major (TM). METHODS We considered 308 TM patients (median age: 39.79 years; 182 females) consecutively enrolled in the Extension-Myocardial Iron Overload in Thalassemia Network. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to quantify iron overload (IO) and pancreatic fat fraction (FF) by T2* technique, cardiac function by cine images, and to detect replacement myocardial fibrosis by late gadolinium enhancement technique. The glucose metabolism was assessed by the oral glucose tolerance test. RESULTS Pancreatic FF was associated with age, body mass index, and history of hepatitis C virus infection. Patients with normal glucose metabolism showed a significantly lower pancreatic FF than patients with impaired fasting glucose (p = 0.030), impaired glucose tolerance (p < 0.0001), and diabetes (p < 0.0001). A normal pancreatic FF (< 6.6%) showed a negative predictive value of 100% for abnormal glucose metabolism. A pancreatic FF > 15.33% predicted the presence of abnormal glucose metabolism. Pancreas FF was inversely correlated with global pancreas and heart T2* values. A normal pancreatic FF showed a negative predictive value of 100% for cardiac iron. Pancreatic FF was significantly higher in patients with myocardial fibrosis (p = 0.002). All patients with cardiac complications had fatty replacement, and they showed a significantly higher pancreatic FF than complications-free patients (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION Pancreatic FF is a risk marker not only for alterations of glucose metabolism, but also for cardiac iron and complications, further supporting the close link between pancreatic and cardiac disease. KEY POINTS • In thalassemia major, pancreatic fatty replacement by MRI is a frequent clinical entity, predicted by a pancreas T2* < 20.81 ms and associated with a higher risk of alterations in glucose metabolism. • In thalassemia major, pancreatic fatty replacement is a strong risk marker for cardiac iron, replacement fibrosis, and complications, highlighting a deep connection between pancreatic and cardiac impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Meloni
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
- U. O. C. Bioingegneria, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mario Nobile
- Sezione Di Scienze Radiologiche - Dipartimento Di Biopatologia E Biotecnologie Mediche, Policlinico "Paolo Giaccone", Palermo, Italy
| | - Petra Keilberg
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Positano
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
- U. O. C. Bioingegneria, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Laura Pistoia
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Anna Spasiano
- Unità Operativa Semplice Dipartimentale Malattie Rare del Globulo Rosso, Azienda Ospedaliera Di Rilievo Nazionale "A. Cardarelli", Napoli, Italy
| | - Tommaso Casini
- Centro Talassemie Ed Emoglobinopatie, Ospedale "Meyer", Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Caterina Putti
- Dipartimento Della Salute Della Donna E del Bambino, Clinica Di Emato-Oncologia Pediatrica, Azienda Ospedaliero-Università Di Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Liana Cuccia
- Unità Operativa Complessa Ematologia Con Talassemia, ARNAS Civico "Benfratelli-Di Cristina", Palermo, Italy
| | - Pier Paolo Bitti
- Dipartimento Dei Servizi, Servizio Immunoematologia E Medicina Trasfusionale, Presidio Ospedaliero "San Francesco" ASL Nuoro, Nuoro, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Messina
- Centro Microcitemie, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano "Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli", Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Peritore
- Unità Operativa Complessa Di Radiologia, ARNAS Civico "Benfratelli-Di Cristina", Palermo, Italy
| | - Stefania Renne
- Struttura Complessa Di Cardioradiologia-UTIC, Presidio Ospedaliero "Giovanni Paolo II", Lamezia Terme, Italy
| | - Emanuele Grassedonio
- Sezione Di Scienze Radiologiche - Dipartimento Di Biopatologia E Biotecnologie Mediche, Policlinico "Paolo Giaccone", Palermo, Italy
| | - Emilio Quaia
- Institute of Radiology, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Giustiniani, 2 Street, 35128, Padova, Italy
| | - Filippo Cademartiri
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessia Pepe
- Institute of Radiology, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Giustiniani, 2 Street, 35128, Padova, Italy.
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9
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Meloni A, Pistoia L, Lupi A, Righi R, Vallone A, Missere M, Renne S, Fina P, Riva A, Gamberini MR, Cecinati V, Sorrentino F, Rosso R, Messina G, Ricchi P, Positano V, Mavrogeni S, Quaia E, Cademartiri F, Pepe A. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Iron Overload Assessment by MRI in Patients with Hemoglobinopathies: The E-MIOT Network Experience. Tomography 2023; 9:1711-1722. [PMID: 37736989 PMCID: PMC10514849 DOI: 10.3390/tomography9050136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The E-MIOT (Extension-Myocardial Iron Overload in Thalassemia) project is an Italian Network assuring high-quality quantification of tissue iron overload by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on E-MIOT services. METHODS The activity of the E-MIOT Network MRI centers in the year 2020 was compared with that of 2019. A survey evaluated whether the availability of MRI slots for patients with hemoglobinopathies was reduced and why. RESULTS The total number of MRI scans was 656 in 2019 and 350 in 2020, with an overall decline of 46.4% (first MRI: 71.7%, follow-up MRI: 36.9%), a marked decline (86.9%) in the period March-June 2020, and a reduction in the gap between the two years in the period July-September. A new drop (41.4%) was recorded in the period October-December for two centers, due to the general reduction in the total amount of MRIs/day for sanitization procedures. In some centers, patients refused MRI scans for fear of getting COVID. Drops in the MRI services >80% were found for patients coming from a region without an active MRI site. CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic had a strong negative impact on MRI multi-organ iron quantification, with a worsening in the management of patients with hemoglobinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Meloni
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (L.P.); (V.P.); (F.C.)
- Unità Operativa Complessa Bioingegneria, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Pistoia
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (L.P.); (V.P.); (F.C.)
| | - Amalia Lupi
- Istituto di Radiologia, Dipartimento di Medicina, Università di Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.L.); (E.Q.)
| | - Riccardo Righi
- Diagnostica per Immagini e Radiologia Interventistica, Ospedale del Delta, 44023 Lagosanto, Italy;
| | - Antonino Vallone
- Reparto di Radiologia, Azienda Ospedaliera “Garibaldi” Presidio Ospedaliero Nesima, 95126 Catania, Italy;
| | - Massimiliano Missere
- Unità Operativa Complessa Radiodiagnostica, Gemelli Molise SpA, Fondazione di Ricerca e Cura “Giovanni Paolo II”, 86100 Campobasso, Italy;
| | - Stefania Renne
- Struttura Complessa di Cardioradiologia, Presidio Ospedaliero “Giovanni Paolo II”, 88046 Lamezia Terme, Italy;
| | - Priscilla Fina
- Unità Operativa Complessa Diagnostica per Immagini, Ospedale “Sandro Pertini”, 00157 Roma, Italy;
| | - Ada Riva
- Struttura Complessa di Radiologia, Ospedale “SS. Annunziata” ASL Taranto, 74121 Taranto, Italy;
| | - Maria Rita Gamberini
- Unità Operativa di Day Hospital della Talassemia e delle Emoglobinopatie, Dipartimento della Riproduzione e dell’Accrescimento, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria “S. Anna”, 44124 Cona, Italy;
| | - Valerio Cecinati
- Struttura Semplice di Microcitemia, Ospedale “SS. Annunziata” ASL Taranto, 74100 Taranto, Italy;
| | - Francesco Sorrentino
- Unità Operativa Semplice Dipartimentale Day Hospital Talassemici, Ospedale “Sant’Eugenio”, 00143 Roma, Italy;
| | - Rosamaria Rosso
- Unità Operativa Talassemie ed Emoglobinopatie, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Policlinico “Vittorio Emanuele”, 95100 Catania, Italy;
| | - Giuseppe Messina
- Centro Microcitemie, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano “Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli”, 89100 Reggio Calabria, Italy;
| | - Paolo Ricchi
- Unità Operativa Semplice Dipartimentale Malattie Rare del Globulo Rosso, Azienda Ospedaliera di Rilievo Nazionale “A. Cardarelli”, 80131 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Vincenzo Positano
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (L.P.); (V.P.); (F.C.)
- Unità Operativa Complessa Bioingegneria, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Emilio Quaia
- Istituto di Radiologia, Dipartimento di Medicina, Università di Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.L.); (E.Q.)
| | - Filippo Cademartiri
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (L.P.); (V.P.); (F.C.)
| | - Alessia Pepe
- Istituto di Radiologia, Dipartimento di Medicina, Università di Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.L.); (E.Q.)
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10
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Meloni A, Pistoia L, Positano V, Martini N, Borrello RL, Sbragi S, Spasiano A, Casini T, Bitti PP, Putti MC, Cuccia L, Allò M, Massei F, Sanna PMG, De Caterina R, Quaia E, Cademartiri F, Pepe A. Myocardial tissue characterization by segmental T2 mapping in thalassaemia major: detecting inflammation beyond iron. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2023; 24:1222-1230. [PMID: 37070652 DOI: 10.1093/ehjci/jead068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS We measured myocardial T2 values by a segmental approach in thalassaemia major (TM) patients, comparing such values against T2* values for the detection of myocardial iron overload (MIO), evaluating their potential in detecting subclinical inflammation, and correlating with clinical status. METHODS AND RESULTS One-hundred and sixty-six patients (102 females, 38.29 ± 11.49years) enrolled in the Extension-Myocardial Iron Overload in Thalassemia Network underwent magnetic resonance imaging for the assessment of hepatic, pancreatic, and cardiac iron overload (T2* technique), of biventricular function (cine images), and of replacement myocardial fibrosis [late gadolinium enhancement (LGE)]. T2 and T2* values were quantified in all 16 myocardial segments, and the global value was the mean of all segments. Global heart T2 values were significantly higher in TM than in a cohort of 80 healthy subjects. T2 and T2* values were significantly correlated. Out of the 25 patients with a decreased global heart T2* value, 11 (44.0%) had reduced T2 values. No patient with a normal T2* value had a decreased T2 value.Eleven (6.6%) patients had a decreased global heart T2 value, 74 (44.6%) a normal global heart T2 value, and 81 (48.8%) an increased global heart T2 value. Biventricular function was comparable amongst the three groups, whilst LGE was significantly more frequent in patients with reduced vs. increased global heart T2 value. Compared with the other two groups, patients with reduced T2 values had significantly higher hepatic and pancreatic iron deposition. CONCLUSION In TM, T2 mapping does not offer any advantage in terms of sensitivity for MIO assessment but detects subclinical myocardial inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Meloni
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
- U.O.C. Bioingegneria, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Pistoia
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Positano
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
- U.O.C. Bioingegneria, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Nicola Martini
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
- U.O.C. Bioingegneria, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Sara Sbragi
- Cardiovascular Division, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Anna Spasiano
- Unità Operativa Semplice Dipartimentale Malattie Rare del Globulo Rosso, Azienda Ospedaliera di Rilievo Nazionale 'A. Cardarelli', Napoli, Italy
| | - Tommaso Casini
- Centro Talassemie ed Emoglobinopatie, Ospedale 'Meyer', Firenze, Italy
| | - Pier Paolo Bitti
- Servizio Immunoematologia e Medicina Trasfusionale-Dipartimento dei Servizi, Presidio Ospedaliero 'San Francesco' ASL Nuoro, Nuoro, Italy
| | - Maria Caterina Putti
- Dipartimento della Salute della Donna e del Bambino, Clinica di Emato-Oncologia Pediatrica, Azienda Ospedaliero-Università di Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Liana Cuccia
- Unità Operativa Complessa Ematologia con Talassemia, ARNAS Civico 'Benfratelli-Di Cristina', Palermo, Italy
| | - Massimo Allò
- Ematologia Microcitemia, Ospedale San Giovanni di Dio-ASP Crotone, Crotone, Italy
| | - Francesco Massei
- Unità Operativa Oncoematologia Pediatrica, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Emilio Quaia
- Institute of Radiology, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Giustiniani, 2 Street, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Filippo Cademartiri
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessia Pepe
- Institute of Radiology, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Giustiniani, 2 Street, 35128 Padua, Italy
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11
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Meloni A, Pistoia L, Maffei S, Ricchi P, Casini T, Corigliano E, Putti MC, Cuccia L, Argento C, Positano V, Pepe A, Cademartiri F, Vassalle C. Bone status and HCV infection in thalassemia major patients. Bone 2023; 169:116671. [PMID: 36623757 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2023.116671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection increases the risk for osteoporosis but this relationship has not been investigated among multi-transfused patients with thalassemia major (TM). We cross-sectionally explored the association of HCV infection with bone mineral density (BMD), vitamin D, and bone turnover biomarkers in TM. METHODS We considered 130 TM patients (41.89 ± 5.49 years, 67 females) enrolled in the E-MIOT (Extension-Myocardial Iron Overload in Thalassemia) Network. BMD measurements taken at the lumbar spine, femoral neck and total hip were expressed as Z-scores, with a BMD Z-score ≤ -2.0 indicating low bone mass. RESULTS Z-scores were not associated with gender, iron overload indices, vitamin D levels, and biochemical bone turnover markers, but decreased with aging and in presence of hypogonadism and were directly correlated with body mass index (BMI). The prevalence of low bone mass was 70.7 %. Three groups of patients were identified: 78 who never contracted the infection (group 0), 72 who cleared HCV (group 1), and 29 with chronic HCV infection (CHC) (group 2). All Z-scores progressively decreased according to HCV status from group 0 to group 2. Osteocalcin levels were significantly lower in groups 2 and 1 than in group 0. CHC patients were more likely to have low bone mass compared to HCV naive patients, after adjusting for age, BMI, hypogonadism, and pancreatic iron. CONCLUSION In TM, CHC appears as one additive risk factor for low bone mass and osteocalcin may play a role in this association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Meloni
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy; U.O.C. Bioingegneria, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Pistoia
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Silvia Maffei
- Cardiovascular and Gynaecological Endocrinology Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Paolo Ricchi
- Unità Operativa Semplice Dipartimentale Malattie Rare del Globulo Rosso, Azienda Ospedaliera di Rilievo Nazionale "A. Cardarelli", Napoli, Italy
| | - Tommaso Casini
- Centro Talassemie ed Emoglobinopatie, Ospedale "Meyer", Firenze, Italy
| | | | - Maria Caterina Putti
- Dipartimento della Salute della Donna e del Bambino, Clinica di Emato-Oncologia Pediatrica, Azienda Ospedaliero-Università di Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Liana Cuccia
- Unità Operativa Complessa Ematologia con Talassemia, ARNAS Civico "Benfratelli-Di Cristina", Palermo, Italy
| | - Crocetta Argento
- Centro di Talasssemia, Ospedale "San Giovanni Di Dio", Agrigento, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Positano
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy; U.O.C. Bioingegneria, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessia Pepe
- Institute of Radiology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Filippo Cademartiri
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Cristina Vassalle
- Medicina di laboratorio, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy.
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12
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Quantitative T2* MRI for bone marrow iron overload: normal reference values and assessment in thalassemia major patients. Radiol Med 2022; 127:1199-1208. [DOI: 10.1007/s11547-022-01554-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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13
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Raief Mosaad BM, Ibrahim AS, Mansour MG, ElAlfy MS, Ebeid FSE, Abdeldayem EH. The role of MRI-R2* in the detection of subclinical pancreatic iron loading among transfusion-dependent sickle cell disease patients and correlation with hepatic and cardiac iron loading. Insights Imaging 2022; 13:140. [PMID: 36057708 PMCID: PMC9440968 DOI: 10.1186/s13244-022-01280-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Pancreatic reserve could be preserved by early assessment of pancreatic iron overload among transfusion-dependent sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. This study aimed to measure pancreatic iron load and correlate its value with patients’ laboratory and radiological markers of iron overload. Materials and methods Sixty-six SCD children and young adults underwent MRI T2* relaxometry using a simple mathematical spreadsheet and laboratory assessment. Results The results indicated moderate-to-severe hepatic iron overload among 65.2% of studied cases. None had cardiac iron overload. Normal-to-mild iron overload was present in the pancreas in 86% of cases, and 50% had elevated serum ferritin > 2500 ug/L. There was no significant correlation between pancreatic R2* level, serum ferritin, and hepatic iron overload. Patients with higher levels of hemolysis markers and lower pre-transfusion hemoglobin levels showed moderate-to-severe pancreatic iron overload. Conclusion Chronically transfused patients with SCD have a high frequency of iron overload complications including pancreatic iron deposition, thereby necessitating proper monitoring of the body’s overall iron balance as well as detection of extrahepatic iron depositions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ahmed Samir Ibrahim
- Radiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed G Mansour
- Radiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohsen Saleh ElAlfy
- Pediatrics Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Emad H Abdeldayem
- Radiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
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14
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Pistoia L, Meloni A, Allò M, Spasiano A, Messina G, Sorrentino F, Gamberini MR, Ermini A, Renne S, Fina P, Peritore G, Positano V, Pepe A, Cademartiri F. Relationship between pancreatic iron overload, glucose metabolism and cardiac complications in sickle cell disease: An Italian multicentre study. Eur J Haematol 2022; 109:289-297. [PMID: 35690882 DOI: 10.1111/ejh.13809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Evidence about the cross-talk between iron, glucose metabolism, and cardiac disease is increasing. We aimed to explore the link of pancreatic iron by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) with glucose metabolism and cardiac complications (CC) in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients. METHODS We considered 70 SCD patients consecutively enrolled in the Extension-Myocardial Iron Overload in Thalassemia Network. Iron overload was quantified by R2* technique and biventricular function by cine images. Macroscopic myocardial fibrosis was evaluated by late gadolinium enhancement technique. Glucose metabolism was assessed by the oral glucose tolerance test. RESULTS Patients with an altered glucose metabolism showed a significantly higher pancreas R2* than patients with normal glucose metabolism. Pancreatic siderosis emerged as a risk factor for the development of metabolic alterations (OddsRatio 8.25, 95%confidence intervals 1.51-45.1; p = .015). Global pancreas R2* values were directly correlated with mean serum ferritin levels and liver iron concentration. Global pancreas R2* was not significantly associated with global heart R2* and macroscopic myocardial fibrosis. Patients with history of CC showed a significantly higher global pancreas R2* than patients with no CC. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support the evaluation of pancreatic R2* by MRI in SCD patients to prevent the development of metabolic and cardiac disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Pistoia
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonella Meloni
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
- U.O.C. Bioingegneria, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Massimo Allò
- Ematologia Microcitemia, Ospedale San Giovanni di Dio - ASP Crotone, Crotone, Italy
| | - Anna Spasiano
- U.O.S.D. Malattie Rare del Globulo Rosso, Azienda Ospedaliera di Rilievo Nazionale "A. Cardarelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Messina
- Centro Microcitemie, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano "Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli", Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Francesco Sorrentino
- U.O.S. Day Hospital Talassemici, Ospedale "Sant'Eugenio"- ASL Roma2, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Rita Gamberini
- U. O. di Day Hospital della Talassemia e delle Emoglobinopatie. Dipartimento della Riproduzione e dell'Accrescimento, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria "S. Anna", Ferrara, Italy
| | - Angela Ermini
- S.O.S. Immunoematologia e Medicina Trasfusionale Ospedale S. Maria Annunziata, Florence, Italy
| | - Stefania Renne
- Struttura Complessa di Cardioradiologia-UTIC, Presidio Ospedaliero "Giovanni Paolo II", Lamezia Terme, Italy
| | - Priscilla Fina
- Unità Operativa Complessa Diagnostica per Immagini, Ospedale "Sandro Pertini", Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Peritore
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Radiologia, "ARNAS" Civico, Di Cristina Benfratelli, Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Positano
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
- U.O.C. Bioingegneria, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessia Pepe
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Radiology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Filippo Cademartiri
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
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15
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Meloni A, Barbuto L, Pistoia L, Positano V, Renne S, Peritore G, Fina P, Spasiano A, Allò M, Messina G, Casini T, Massa A, Romano L, Pepe A, Cademartiri F. Frequency, pattern, and associations of renal iron accumulation in sickle/β-thalassemia patients. Ann Hematol 2022; 101:1941-1950. [PMID: 35821343 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-022-04915-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We evaluated frequency, pattern, and associations of renal iron accumulation in sickle/β-thalassemia. Thirty-three sickle/β-thalassemia patients (36.5 ± 14.7 years; 13 females), 14 homozygous sickle cell disease (SCD) patients, and 71 thalassemia major (TM) patients, enrolled in the E-MIOT Network, underwent magnetic resonance imaging. Iron overload (IO) was quantified by the T2* technique. Sickle/β-thalassemia patients had a significantly lower frequency of renal IO (T2* < 31 ms) than homozygous SCD patients (9.1% vs. 57.1%; P = 0.001), besides having similar hepatic, cardiac and pancreatic IO. Kidney T2* values were comparable between regularly transfused sickle/β-thalassemia and TM patients but were significantly lower in regularly transfused homozygous SCD patients than in the other two groups. In sickle/β-thalassemia patients, global renal T2* values were not associated with age, gender, splenectomy, and presence of regular transfusions or chelation. No correlation was detected between renal T2* values and serum ferritin levels or iron load in the other organs. Global renal T2* values were not associated with serum creatinine levels but showed a significant inverse correlation with serum lactate dehydrogenase (R = - 0.709; P < 0.0001) and indirect bilirubin (R = - 0.462; P = 0.012). Renal IO is not common in sickle/β-thalassemia patients, with a prevalence significantly lower compared to that of homozygous SCD patients, but with a similar underlying mechanism due to the chronic hemolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Meloni
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Via Moruzzi, 1 - 56124, Pisa, Italy.,U.O.C. Bioingegneria, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Luigi Barbuto
- U.O.C. Radiologia Generale E Di Pronto Soccorso, Azienda Ospedaliera Di Rilievo Nazionale "A. Cardarelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Laura Pistoia
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Via Moruzzi, 1 - 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Positano
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Via Moruzzi, 1 - 56124, Pisa, Italy.,U.O.C. Bioingegneria, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefania Renne
- Struttura Complessa Di Cardioradiologia-UTIC, Presidio Ospedaliero "Giovanni Paolo II", Lamezia Terme, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Peritore
- Unità Operativa Complessa Di Radiologia, "ARNAS" Civico, Di Cristina Benfratelli, Palermo, Italy
| | - Priscilla Fina
- Unità Operativa Complessa Diagnostica Per Immagini, Ospedale "Sandro Pertini", Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Spasiano
- U.O.S.D. Malattie Rare del Globulo Rosso, Azienda Ospedaliera Di Rilievo Nazionale "A. Cardarelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Massimo Allò
- Ematologia Microcitemia, Ospedale San Giovanni di Dio - ASP Crotone, Crotone, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Messina
- Centro Microcitemie, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano "Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli", Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Tommaso Casini
- Centro Talassemie Ed Emoglobinopatie, Ospedale "Meyer", Florence, Italy
| | - Antonella Massa
- Servizio Trasfusionale, Ospedale "Giovanni Paolo II", Olbia, Italy
| | - Luigia Romano
- U.O.C. Radiologia Generale E Di Pronto Soccorso, Azienda Ospedaliera Di Rilievo Nazionale "A. Cardarelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Alessia Pepe
- Institute of Radiology, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Filippo Cademartiri
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Via Moruzzi, 1 - 56124, Pisa, Italy.
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16
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Meloni A, Positano V, Pistoia L, Cademartiri F. Pancreatic iron quantification with MR imaging: a practical guide. Abdom Radiol (NY) 2022; 47:2397-2407. [PMID: 35596775 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-022-03552-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Accurate determination of pancreatic iron status is crucial for preventing impairment of the exocrine and endocrine function of the pancreas and for prospectively stratifying the cardiac iron risk. The following article should be a sort of practical guide for radiologists interested in quantifying pancreatic iron overload by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). After a brief background on iron-deposition diseases, we will describe basic principles and relative advantages and disadvantages of the more widely used and clinically feasible MRI-based techniques for pancreatic iron assessment. These methods can be classified into signal intensity ratio (SIR) and relaxometry methods. We will examine different technical aspects representing the key for accurate and precise relaxation time measurement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Meloni
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Via Moruzzi, 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
- U.O.C. Bioingegneria, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Positano
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Via Moruzzi, 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
- U.O.C. Bioingegneria, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Pistoia
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Via Moruzzi, 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Filippo Cademartiri
- Department of Radiology, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Via Moruzzi, 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy.
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17
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Link between Genotype and Multi-Organ Iron and Complications in Children with Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12030400. [PMID: 35330400 PMCID: PMC8950605 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12030400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
We evaluated the impact of the genotype on hepatic, pancreatic and myocardial iron content, and on hepatic, cardiac and endocrine complications in children with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (β-TDT). We considered 68 β-TDT patients (11.98 ± 3.67 years, 51.5% females) consecutively enrolled in the Extension-Myocardial Iron Overload in Thalassemia network. Iron overload was quantified by T2* technique and biventricular function by cine images. Replacement myocardial fibrosis was evaluated by late gadolinium enhancement technique. Three groups of patients were identified: homozygous β+ (N = 19), compound heterozygous β0β+ (N = 24), and homozygous β0 (N = 25). The homozygous β0 group showed significantly lower global heart and pancreas T2* values than the homozygous β+ group. Compared to patients with homozygous β+ genotype, β0β+ as well as β0β0 patients were more likely to have pancreatic iron overload (odds ratio = 6.53 and 10.08, respectively). No difference was detected in biventricular function parameters and frequency of replacement fibrosis. No patient had cirrhosis/fibrosis, diabetes or heart failure, and the frequency of endocrinopathies was comparable among the groups. In pediatric β-TDT patients, there is an association between genotype and cardiac and pancreatic iron overload. The knowledge of patients’ genotype can be valuable in predicting some patients’ phenotypic features and in helping the clinical management of β-TDT patients.
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18
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Spasiano A, Meloni A, Costantini S, Quaia E, Cademartiri F, Cinque P, Pepe A, Ricchi P. Setting for "Normal" Serum Ferritin Levels in Patients with Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia: Our Current Strategy. J Clin Med 2021; 10:5985. [PMID: 34945281 PMCID: PMC8708030 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10245985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This cross-sectional study aimed to establish the association between serum ferritin levels and organ iron overload (IO) and overall morbidity in transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) patients. One hundred and three TDT patients (40.03 ± 9.15 years; 57.3% females) with serum ferritin < 2500 ng/mL were included. IO was assessed by T2* magnetic resonance imaging. Three groups were identified based on mean serum ferritin levels: <500 ng/mL (group 0; N = 32), 500-1000 ng/mL (group 1; N = 43), and 1000-2500 ng/mL (group 2; N = 28). All demographic and biochemical parameters were comparable among the three groups, with the exception of the triglycerides being significantly lower in group 0 than in group 2. No difference was found in the frequency of hepatic, endocrine, and cardiac complications. Hepatic IO was significantly less frequent in group 0 versus both groups 1 and 2. No patient with a serum ferritin level < 500 ng/mL had significant myocardial IO and alterations in the main hematological parameters. No difference in the distribution of the different chelation regimens was found. Serum ferritin < 500 ng/mL appears to be achievable and safe for several TDT patients. This target is associated with the absence of significant cardiac iron and significantly lower hepatic IO and triglycerides that are well-demonstrated markers for cardiac and liver complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Spasiano
- Unità Operativa Semplice Dipartimentale Malattie Rare del Globulo Rosso, Azienda Ospedaliera di Rilievo Nazionale “A. Cardarelli”, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (A.S.); (S.C.); (P.C.)
| | - Antonella Meloni
- Cardiovascular and Neuroradiological Multimodality Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (F.C.)
- U.O.C. Bioingegneria e Ingegneria Clinica, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Silvia Costantini
- Unità Operativa Semplice Dipartimentale Malattie Rare del Globulo Rosso, Azienda Ospedaliera di Rilievo Nazionale “A. Cardarelli”, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (A.S.); (S.C.); (P.C.)
| | - Emilio Quaia
- Institute of Radiology, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; (E.Q.); (A.P.)
| | - Filippo Cademartiri
- Cardiovascular and Neuroradiological Multimodality Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (A.M.); (F.C.)
| | - Patrizia Cinque
- Unità Operativa Semplice Dipartimentale Malattie Rare del Globulo Rosso, Azienda Ospedaliera di Rilievo Nazionale “A. Cardarelli”, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (A.S.); (S.C.); (P.C.)
| | - Alessia Pepe
- Institute of Radiology, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; (E.Q.); (A.P.)
| | - Paolo Ricchi
- Unità Operativa Semplice Dipartimentale Malattie Rare del Globulo Rosso, Azienda Ospedaliera di Rilievo Nazionale “A. Cardarelli”, 80131 Napoli, Italy; (A.S.); (S.C.); (P.C.)
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19
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The Link of Pancreatic Iron with Glucose Metabolism and Cardiac Iron in Thalassemia Intermedia: A Large, Multicenter Observational Study. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10235561. [PMID: 34884261 PMCID: PMC8658115 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10235561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In thalassemia major, pancreatic iron was demonstrated as a powerful predictor not only for the alterations of glucose metabolism but also for cardiac iron, fibrosis, and complications, supporting a profound link between pancreatic iron and heart disease. We determined for the first time the prevalence of pancreatic iron overload (IO) in thalassemia intermedia (TI) and systematically explored the link between pancreas T2* values and glucose metabolism and cardiac outcomes. We considered 221 beta-TI patients (53.2% females, 42.95 ± 13.74 years) consecutively enrolled in the Extension–Myocardial Iron Overload in Thalassemia project. Magnetic Resonance Imaging was used to quantify IO (T2* technique) and biventricular function and to detect replacement myocardial fibrosis. The glucose metabolism was assessed by the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Pancreatic IO was more frequent in regularly transfused (N = 145) than in nontransfused patients (67.6% vs. 31.6%; p < 0.0001). In the regular transfused group, splenectomy and hepatitis C virus infection were both associated with high pancreatic siderosis. Patients with normal glucose metabolism showed significantly higher global pancreas T2* values than patients with altered OGTT. A pancreas T2* < 17.9 ms predicted an abnormal OGTT. A normal pancreas T2* value showed a 100% negative predictive value for cardiac iron. Pancreas T2* values were not associated to biventricular function, replacement myocardial fibrosis, or cardiac complications. Our findings suggest that in the presence of pancreatic IO, it would be prudent to initiate or intensify iron chelation therapy to prospectively prevent both disturbances of glucose metabolism and cardiac iron accumulation.
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20
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Sevimli C, Yilmaz Y, Bayramoglu Z, Comert RG, Gul N, Dursun M, Karakas Z. Pancreatic MR imaging and endocrine complications in patients with beta-thalassemia: a single-center experience. Clin Exp Med 2021; 22:95-101. [PMID: 34245399 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-021-00735-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Iron deposition in various organs can cause endocrine complications in patients with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia. The aim was to investigate the relationship between endocrine complications and pancreatic iron overload using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Forty patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) were enrolled in the study. The magnetic resonance imagings of the patients were performed using a 1.5 Tesla Philips MRI scanner. Two out of three patients had at least one clinical endocrine complication. The rate of iron deposition was 62.5% in liver, and 45% in pancreas tissue, and was 12.5% in heart tissue. Pancreatic T2* and hepatic T2* values were significantly positively correlated (p = 0.006). Pancreatic T2* and ferritin were significantly negatively correlated (p = 0.03). Cardiac T2* values were negatively correlated with fasting blood glucose (p = 0.03). Patients with short stature had significantly higher cardiac iron burden (22.3 vs. 36.6 T2*ms; p 0.01), and patients with hypothyroidism had higher liver iron concentrations (9.9 vs. 6.4 LIC mg/g; p = 0.05). The ferritin level of 841 ng/mL and liver iron concentration (LIC) value of 8.7 mg/g were detected as the threshold level for severe pancreatic iron burden (AUC 70%, p:0.04, AUC 80%, p = 0.002, respectively). Moreover, males were found to have decreased pancreas T2* values compared with the values in females (T2* 19.3 vs. 29.9, p = 0.05). Patients with higher ferritin levels over than 840 ng/mL should be closely monitored for pancreatic iron deposition, and patients with endocrine complications should be assessed in terms of cardiac iron burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cihangir Sevimli
- Department of Pediatrics, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yasin Yilmaz
- Department of Neuroscience, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Istanbul University, Institute of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Zuhal Bayramoglu
- Department of Pediatric Radiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Rana Gunoz Comert
- Department of Pediatric Radiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nurdan Gul
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Memduh Dursun
- Department of Pediatric Radiology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Zeynep Karakas
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
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21
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Pepe A, Pistoia L, Gamberini MR, Cuccia L, Peluso A, Messina G, Spasiano A, Allò M, Bisconte MG, Putti MC, Casini T, Dello Iacono N, Celli M, Vitucci A, Giuliano P, Peritore G, Renne S, Righi R, Positano V, De Sanctis V, Meloni A. The Close Link of Pancreatic Iron With Glucose Metabolism and With Cardiac Complications in Thalassemia Major: A Large, Multicenter Observational Study. Diabetes Care 2020; 43:2830-2839. [PMID: 32887708 DOI: 10.2337/dc20-0908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We systematically explored the link of pancreatic iron with glucose metabolism and with cardiac complications in a cohort of 1,079 patients with thalassemia major (TM) enrolled in the Extension-Myocardial Iron Overload in Thalassemia (E-MIOT) project. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS MRI was used to quantify iron overload (T2* technique) and cardiac function (cine images) and to detect macroscopic myocardial fibrosis (late gadolinium enhancement technique). Glucose metabolism was assessed by the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). RESULTS Patients with normal glucose metabolism showed significantly higher global pancreas T2* values than patients with impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, and diabetes. A pancreas T2* <13.07 ms predicted an abnormal OGTT. A normal pancreas T2* value showed a 100% negative predictive value for disturbances of glucose metabolism and for cardiac iron. Patients with myocardial fibrosis showed significantly lower pancreas T2* values. Patients with cardiac complications had significantly lower pancreas T2* values. No patient with arrhythmias/heart failure had a normal global pancreas T2*. CONCLUSIONS Pancreatic iron is a powerful predictor not only for glucose metabolism but also for cardiac iron and complications, supporting the close link between pancreatic iron and heart disease and the need to intensify iron chelation therapy to prevent both alterations of glucose metabolism and cardiac iron accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Pepe
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Pistoia
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Rita Gamberini
- Dipartimento della Riproduzione e dell'Accrescimento, Day Hospital della Talassemia e delle Emoglobinopatie, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Ferrara - Arcispedale Sant'Anna, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Liana Cuccia
- Unità Operativa Complessa Ematologia con Talassemia, Azienda di Rilievo Nazionale ed Alta Specializzazione Ospedali Civico Di Cristina Benfratelli, Palermo, Italy
| | - Angelo Peluso
- Struttura Semplice di Microcitemia, Ospedale "SS. Annunziata" ASL Taranto, Taranto, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Messina
- Centro Microcitemie, Azienda Ospedaliera "Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli," Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Anna Spasiano
- Unità Operativa Semplice Dipartimentale Malattie Rare del Globulo Rosso, Azienda Ospedaliera di Rilievo Nazionale "Antonio Cardarelli," Napoli, Italy
| | - Massimo Allò
- Ematologia Microcitemia, Ospedale San Giovanni di Dio-Azienda Sanitaria Provinciale Crotone, Crotone, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Bisconte
- Centro di Microcitemia, Unità Operativa Ematologia, Azienda Ospedaliera Cosenza, Cosenza, Italy
| | - Maria Caterina Putti
- Clinica di Emato-Oncologia Pediatrica, Dipartimento di Salute della Donna e del Bambino, Azienda Ospedaliero di Padova-Università di Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Tommaso Casini
- Centro Talassemie ed Emoglobinopatie, Ospedale "Meyer," Firenze, Italy
| | - Nicola Dello Iacono
- Centro Microcitemia, Day Hospital Thalassemia, Poliambulatorio "Giovanni Paolo II," Ospedale Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza IRCCS, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Mauro Celli
- Unità Operativa Complessa di ImmunoEmatologia, Dipartimenti Assistenziali Integrati di Pediatria e Neuropsiachiatria Infantile, Roma, Italy
| | - Angelantonio Vitucci
- Ematologia con Trapianto-Servizio Regionale Talassemie, Dipartimento dell'Emergenza e dei Trapianti d'Organo, Azienda Universitaria Ospedaliera Consorziale - Policlinico Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Pietro Giuliano
- Cardiologia con UTIC, Azienda di Rilievo Nazionale ad Alta Specializzazione Civico Di Cristina Benfratelli, Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Peritore
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Radiologia, Azienda di Rilievo Nazionale ad Alta Specializzazione Civico Di Cristina Benfratelli, Palermo, Italy
| | - Stefania Renne
- Struttura Complessa di Cardioradiologia-UTIC, Presidio Ospedaliero "Giovanni Paolo II," Lamezia Terme, Italy
| | - Riccardo Righi
- Diagnostica per Immagini e Radiologia Interventistica, Ospedale del Delta, Lagosanto, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Positano
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo De Sanctis
- Pediatric and Adolescent Outpatient Clinic, Quisisana Hospital, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Antonella Meloni
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
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22
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Multicenter validation of the magnetic resonance T2* technique for quantification of pancreatic iron. Eur Radiol 2018; 29:2246-2252. [PMID: 30338366 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-018-5783-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the transferability of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) multislice multiecho T2* technique for pancreatic iron overload assessment. METHODS Multiecho T2* sequences were installed on ten 1.5-T MRI scanners of the three main vendors. Five healthy subjects (n = 50) were scanned at each site. Five patients with thalassemia (n = 45) were scanned locally at each site and were rescanned at the reference site within 1 month. T2* images were analyzed using a previously validated software and the global pancreatic T2* value was calculated as the mean of T2* values over the head, body, and tail. RESULTS T2* values of healthy subjects were above 26 ms and showed inter-site homogeneity. The T2* values measured in the MRI sites were comparable to the correspondent values observed in the reference site (12.02 ± 10.20 ms vs 11.98 ± 10.47 ms; p = 0.808), and the correlation coefficient was 0.978 (p < 0.0001). Coefficients of variation (CoVs) ranged from 4.22 to 9.77%, and the CoV for all the T2* values independently from the sites was 8.55%. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for each MRI site was always excellent and the global ICC was 0.995, independently from the sites. The mean absolute difference in patients with pancreatic iron (n = 39) was -0.15 ± 1.38 ms. CONCLUSION The gradient-echo T2* MRI technique is an accurate and reproducible means for the quantification of pancreatic iron and may be transferred among MRI scanners by different vendors in several centers. KEY POINTS • The gradient-echo T2* MRI technique is an accurate and reproducible means for the quantification of pancreatic iron. • The gradient-echo T2* MRI technique for the quantification of pancreatic iron may be transferred among MRI scanners by different vendors in several centers. • Pancreatic iron might serve as an early predictor of cardiac siderosis and is the strongest overall predictor of glucose dysregulation.
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23
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Santarelli MF, Meloni A, De Marchi D, Pistoia L, Quarta A, Spasiano A, Landini L, Pepe A, Positano V. Estimation of pancreatic R2* for iron overload assessment in the presence of fat: a comparison of different approaches. MAGNETIC RESONANCE MATERIALS IN PHYSICS BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2018; 31:757-769. [PMID: 30043125 DOI: 10.1007/s10334-018-0695-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To propose a method for estimating pancreatic relaxation rate, R2*, from conventional multi-echo MRI, based on the nonlinear fitting of the acquired magnitude signal decay to MR signal models that take into account both the signal oscillations induced by fat and the different R2* values of pancreatic parenchyma and fat. MATERIALS AND METHODS Single-peak fat (SPF) and multi-peak fat (MPF) models were introduced. Single-R2* and dual-R2* assumptions were considered as well. Analyses were conducted on simulated data and 20 thalassemia major patients. RESULTS Simulations revealed the ability of the MPF model to correctly estimate the R2* value in a large range of fat fractions and R2* values. From the comparison between the results obtained with a single R2* value for water and fat and the dual-R2* approach, the latter is more accurate in both water R2* and fat fraction estimation. In patient's data analysis, a strong concordance was found between SPF and MPF estimated data with measurements done with manual signal correction and from fat-saturated images. The MPF method showed better reproducibility. CONCLUSION The MPF dual-R2* approach improves reproducibility and reduces image analysis time in the assessment of pancreatic R2* value in patients with iron overload.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Antonella Meloni
- Fondazione CNR Regione Toscana "G. Monasterio", Via Moruzzi, 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Daniele De Marchi
- Fondazione CNR Regione Toscana "G. Monasterio", Via Moruzzi, 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Laura Pistoia
- Fondazione CNR Regione Toscana "G. Monasterio", Via Moruzzi, 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Anna Spasiano
- UOS Malattie Rare Del Globulo Rosso, AORN Cardarelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Landini
- Fondazione CNR Regione Toscana "G. Monasterio", Via Moruzzi, 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessia Pepe
- Fondazione CNR Regione Toscana "G. Monasterio", Via Moruzzi, 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Positano
- Fondazione CNR Regione Toscana "G. Monasterio", Via Moruzzi, 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy.
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Rostoker G. When should iron supplementation in dialysis patients be avoided, minimized or withdrawn? Semin Dial 2018; 32:22-29. [PMID: 29956370 PMCID: PMC7379289 DOI: 10.1111/sdi.12732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Parenteral iron is used to restore the body's iron pool before and during erythropoiesis‐stimulating agent (ESA) therapy; together these agents form the backbone of anemia management in end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing hemodialysis. ESRD patients receiving chronic intravenous iron products, which exceed their blood loss are exposed to an increased risk of positive iron balance. Measurement of the liver iron concentration (LIC) reflects total body iron stores in patients with secondary hemosiderosis and genetic hemochromatosis. Recent studies of LIC in hemodialysis patients, measured by quantitative MRI and magnetic susceptometry, have demonstrated a high risk of iron overload in dialysis patients treated with IV iron products at doses advocated by current anemia management guidelines for dialysis patients. Liver iron overload causes increased production of hepcidin and elevated plasma levels, which can activate macrophages of atherosclerotic plaques. This mechanism may explain the results of 3 long‐term epidemiological studies which showed the association of excessive IV iron doses with increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality among hemodialysis patients. A more physiological approach of iron therapy in ESRD is needed. Peritoneal dialysis patients, hemodialysis patients infected with hepatitis C virus, and hemodialysis patients with ferritin above 1000 μg/L without a concomitant inflammatory state, all require specific and cautious iron management. Two recent studies have shown that most hemodialysis patients will benefit from lower maintenance IV iron dosages; their results are applicable to American hemodialysis patients. Novel pharmacometric and economic approaches to iron therapy and anemia management are emerging which are designed to lessen the potential side effects of excessive IV iron while maintaining hemoglobin stability without an increase in ESA dosing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Rostoker
- Ramsay-Générale de Santé, Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Hôpital Privé Claude Galien, Quincy sous Sénart, France
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Affiliation(s)
- John C Wood
- Department of Pediatrics and Radiology, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles-USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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França M, Martí-Bonmatí L, Porto G, Silva S, Guimarães S, Alberich-Bayarri Á, Vizcaíno JR, Pessegueiro Miranda H. Tissue iron quantification in chronic liver diseases using MRI shows a relationship between iron accumulation in liver, spleen, and bone marrow. Clin Radiol 2017; 73:215.e1-215.e9. [PMID: 28863932 DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2017.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Revised: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
AIM To investigate iron loading within the liver, pancreas, spleen, and bone marrow using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) transverse relaxation rate (R2*), in patients with diffuse liver diseases; to evaluate the relationships between iron accumulation in these tissue compartments; and to assess the association between tissue iron overload and the pattern of hepatic cellular iron distribution (hepatocytes versus Kupffer cells). MATERIAL AND METHODS Fifty-six patients with diffuse liver diseases had MRI-derived R2* values, using a multi-echo chemical-shift encoded MRI sequence, of the liver, pancreas, spleen, and vertebral bone marrow. All patients had liver biopsy samples scored for hepatic iron grading (0-4) and iron cellular distribution (within hepatocytes only or within both hepatocytes and Kupffer cells). RESULTS Liver R2* increased with histological iron grade (RS=0.58, p<0.001) and correlated with spleen (RS=0.71, p<0.001) and bone marrow R2* (RS=0.66, p<0.001), but not with pancreatic R2* (RS=0.22, p=0.096). Splenic and bone marrow R2* values were also correlated (RS=0.72, p<0.001). Patients with iron inside Kupffer cells had the highest R2* in liver, spleen and bone marrow. CONCLUSIONS Patients with chronic diffuse liver diseases have concomitant hepatic, splenic, and bone marrow iron loading. The highest hepatic iron scores and iron inside Kupffer cells were associated with the highest splenic and bone marrow deposits, suggesting systemic iron accumulation in the mononuclear phagocytic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- M França
- Imaging Department - Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Largo Prof Abel Salazar, 4099-001 Porto, Portugal; i3S, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, IBMC, Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
| | - L Martí-Bonmatí
- Radiology Department, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe and Biomedical Imaging Research Group (GIBI230), Av. Fernando Abril Martorell 106 Torre E, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - G Porto
- i3S, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, IBMC, Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, Rua Alfredo Allen, 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; Haematology Department, Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Largo Prof Abel Salazar, 4099-001 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas de Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - S Silva
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - S Guimarães
- Pathology Department, Centro Hospitalar de S. João, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - Á Alberich-Bayarri
- Radiology Department, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe and Biomedical Imaging Research Group (GIBI230), Av. Fernando Abril Martorell 106 Torre E, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - J R Vizcaíno
- Pathology Department - Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Largo Prof Abel Salazar, 4099-001 Porto, Portugal
| | - H Pessegueiro Miranda
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas de Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; Liver and Pancreas Transplantation Unit and Medicine Department - Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Largo Prof Abel Salazar, 4099-001 Porto, Portugal; Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIUnit), Institute of Public Health of the University of Porto, Rua das Taipas, 135, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
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Henninger B, Rauch S, Zoller H, Plaikner M, Jaschke W, Kremser C. R2*-relaxometry of the pancreas in patients with human hemochromatosis protein associated hereditary hemochromatosis. Eur J Radiol 2017; 89:149-155. [PMID: 28267532 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2017.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2016] [Revised: 01/28/2017] [Accepted: 02/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate pancreatic iron in patients with human hemochromatosis protein associated hereditary hemochromatosis (HHC) using R2* relaxometry. MATERIALS AND METHODS 81 patients (58 male, 23 female; median age 49.5, range 10-81 years) with HHC were retrospectively studied. All underwent 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the abdomen. A fat-saturated multi-gradient echo sequence with 12 echoes (TR=200ms; TE-initial 0.99ms; Delta-TE 1.41ms; 12 echoes; flip-angle: 20°) was used for the R2* quantification of the liver and the pancreas. Parameter maps were analyzed using regions of interest (3 in the liver and 2 in the pancreas) and R2* values were correlated. RESULTS 59/81 patients had a liver R2*≥70 1/s of which 10/59 patients had a pancreas R2*≥50 1/s. No patient presented with a liver R2*<70 1/s and pancreas R2*≥50 1/s. All patients with pancreas R2* values≥50 1/s had liver R2* values≥70 1/s. ROC analysis resulted in a threshold of 209.4 1/s for liver R2* values to identify HFE positive patients with pancreas R2* values≥50 1/s with a median specificity of 78.87% and a median sensitivity of 90%. CONCLUSION In patients with HHC R2* relaxometry of the pancreas should be performed when liver iron overload is present and can be omitted in cases with no sign of hepatic iron.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Henninger
- Department of Radiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - S Rauch
- Department of Radiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - H Zoller
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - M Plaikner
- Department of Radiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - W Jaschke
- Department of Radiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - C Kremser
- Department of Radiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstraße 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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Chen B, Chen W, Chan Q, Zhou N, He J, Zhou Z. Functional MRI of human pancreas using BOLD contrast: Responses following glucose ingestion. J Magn Reson Imaging 2017; 46:831-836. [PMID: 28120404 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.25640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the response of the pancreas to glucose ingestion in healthy volunteers by blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was approved by the local Ethics Committee, and informed consent was obtained from all subjects. A multiple gradient recalled echo (mGRE) sequence was performed on a 3.0T MR scanner in 12 healthy volunteers before and after glucose or water ingestion. Pancreatic T2* values were calculated from it at each timepoint, and changes following stimulation were analyzed using summary measures. The valley values and times were compared between the glucose and water ingestion by paired samples t-test. The repeatability of the pancreatic T2* measurements was assessed by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and coefficient of variation (CV). RESULTS Pancreatic T2* measurements showed good repeatability (all ICC >0.75). CV for the six baseline acquisitions was 2.74 ± 0.97%, indicating a 5.37% measurement error. A transient but significant decrease (-6.88 ± 1.01%, P value, 0.0005-0.0467) in the pancreatic T2* values was observed within 5 minutes after glucose ingestion, rather than water consumption. Compared to water, glucose ingestion induced earlier (valley times: 3.46 ± 3.22 vs. 7.75 ± 4.09 min, P = 0.0006) and remarkable pancreatic T2* decrease (valley values: -15.33 ± 5.90% vs. -6.88 ± 3.11%, P = 0.0006). CONCLUSION BOLD MRI enabled noninvasive quantification of pancreatic T2* changes during glucose stimulation. Glucose ingestion resulted in a rapid and significant pancreatic T2* decrease in healthy young volunteers. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2017;46:831-836.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bozhu Chen
- Department of Radiology, Drum Tower Clinical Medical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Weibo Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Nan Zhou
- Department of Radiology, Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Jian He
- Department of Radiology, Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhengyang Zhou
- Department of Radiology, Drum Tower Clinical Medical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Meloni A, De Marchi D, Positano V, Neri MG, Mangione M, Keilberg P, Lendini M, Cirotto C, Pepe A. Accurate estimate of pancreatic T2* values: how to deal with fat infiltration. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 40:3129-36. [PMID: 26288986 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-015-0522-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We examined different approaches aimed to deal with the signal fluctuation of pancreatic T2* values due to fat infiltration in order to obtain accurate estimates of iron overload. METHODS Pancreatic T2* values were assessed in 20 patients (13 females, 37.24 ± 9.12 years) enrolled in the Myocardial Iron Overload in Thalassemia network without and with the application of fat suppression-FS (T2*-NoFS and T2*-FS). T2* values were assessed in three different ways: (1) from the immediate fit (original T2*); (2) discarding the echoes until the achievement of a good visual concordance between the signal and the model (final_vis T2*); (3) eliminating the echoes until the achievement of a fitting error (known) <5% (final_thres T2*). RESULTS For the T2*-NoFS sequence the original T2* values were significantly higher than the final_vis T2* values (difference:4.8 ± 6.1 ms; P < 0.0001) and the final_thres T2* values (difference:4.3 ± 6.1 ms; P = 0.006). For the T2*-FS sequence the original T2* values were comparable to final_vis and final_thres T2* values. The original T2*-FS values were significantly different from the original T2*-NoFS values. The final_vis T2*-FS values were comparable to the final_vis T2*-NoFS values and the final_thresh T2*-FS values were comparable to the final_thresh T2*-NoFS values. For both T2*-FS and T2*-NoFS sequences, the final_thres T2* values were not significantly different from the final_vis T2* values and no bias was present. CONCLUSIONS In the clinical practice, an accurate pancreatic iron overload assessment should be done by applying FS and, when needed, by discarding the TEs until the fitting error goes below 5%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Meloni
- CMR Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Area della Ricerca S. Cataldo, Via Moruzzi, 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy.
- U.O.C. Bioingegneria e Ingegneria Clinica, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Daniele De Marchi
- CMR Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Area della Ricerca S. Cataldo, Via Moruzzi, 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Positano
- CMR Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Area della Ricerca S. Cataldo, Via Moruzzi, 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
- U.O.C. Bioingegneria e Ingegneria Clinica, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Giovanna Neri
- CMR Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Area della Ricerca S. Cataldo, Via Moruzzi, 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maurizio Mangione
- U.O.S. Sistemi Informatici, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Petra Keilberg
- CMR Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Area della Ricerca S. Cataldo, Via Moruzzi, 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Carla Cirotto
- Servizio Trasfusionale, Azienda USL n° 1, Sassari, Italy
| | - Alessia Pepe
- CMR Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana, Area della Ricerca S. Cataldo, Via Moruzzi, 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy
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Grassedonio E, Meloni A, Positano V, De Marchi D, Toia P, Midiri M, Pepe A. Quantitative T2* magnetic resonance imaging for renal iron overload assessment: normal values by age and sex. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 40:1700-4. [PMID: 25761947 DOI: 10.1007/s00261-015-0395-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Few studies of renal iron content have been performed with multiecho gradient-echo (ME-GRE) T2* magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We assessed the feasibility and reproducibility of ME-GRE T2* MRI for measuring regional and global renal T2* values, and established the lower limits of normal in healthy subjects, also correlating the measured values with age and sex. METHODS Twenty consecutive healthy subjects (13 men and 7 women, mean age 29.1 ± 7.2 years, range 19-42 years) underwent MRI examinations using a 1.5 T magnet and an ME-GRE T2* sequence. For each kidney, T2* was measured in anterior, posterolateral, and posteromedial renal parenchymal regions. The mean T2* value was calculated as the average of the two kidneys T2* values. RESULTS For the mean kidney T2* value, the coefficients of variation for intra- and inter-operator reproducibility were 1.76% and 6.23%, respectively. The lower limit of normal for the mean kidney T2* value was 31 ms (median 51.39 ± 10.09). There was no significant difference between left and right kidney T2* values (p = 0.578). No significant correlation was found between T2* values and subjects' age or sex. CONCLUSIONS Renal ME-GRE T2* appears to be a feasible and reproducible technique. The renal T2* values showed no dependence on sex or age.
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31
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Meloni A, Restaino G, Missere M, De Marchi D, Positano V, Valeri G, Giuseppe D'Ascola D, Peluso A, Caterina Putti M, Lendini M, Giovanna Neri M, Midiri M, Sallustio G, Pepe A. Pancreatic iron overload by T2* MRI in a large cohort of well treated thalassemia major patients: can it tell us heart iron distribution and function? Am J Hematol 2015; 90:E189-90. [PMID: 26044155 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.24081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Accepted: 06/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Meloni
- CMR Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana; Pisa Italy
- Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana; U.O.C. Bioingegneria E Ingegneria Clinica; Pisa Italy
| | - Gennaro Restaino
- Dipartimento Di Radiologia, Centro Di Ricerca E Formazione Ad Alta Tecnologia Nelle Scienze Biomediche “Giovanni Paolo II,”; Campobasso Italy
| | - Massimiliano Missere
- Dipartimento Di Radiologia, Centro Di Ricerca E Formazione Ad Alta Tecnologia Nelle Scienze Biomediche “Giovanni Paolo II,”; Campobasso Italy
| | | | - Vincenzo Positano
- CMR Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana; Pisa Italy
- Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana; U.O.C. Bioingegneria E Ingegneria Clinica; Pisa Italy
| | - Gianluca Valeri
- Dipartimento Di Radiologia, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti “Umberto I-Lancisi-Salesi,”; Ancona Italy
| | | | - Angelo Peluso
- Microcitemia, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale TA/1; Presidio Ospedaliero Centrale; Taranto Italy
| | - Maria Caterina Putti
- Clinica Di Emato-Oncologia Pediatrica, Dipartimento Di Pediatria, Università Di Padova/Azienda Ospedaliera; Padova Italy
| | | | | | - Massimo Midiri
- Istituto Di Radiologia, Policlinico “Paolo Giaccone”; Palermo Italy
| | - Giuseppina Sallustio
- Dipartimento Di Radiologia, Centro Di Ricerca E Formazione Ad Alta Tecnologia Nelle Scienze Biomediche “Giovanni Paolo II,”; Campobasso Italy
| | - Alessia Pepe
- CMR Unit, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana; Pisa Italy
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Abstract
Iron overload is becoming an increasing problem as haemoglobinopathy patients gain greater access to good medical care and as therapies for myelodysplastic syndromes improve. Therapeutic options for iron chelation therapy have increased and many patients now receive combination therapies. However, optimal utilization of iron chelation therapy requires knowledge not only of the total body iron burden but the relative iron distribution among the different organs. The physiological basis for extrahepatic iron deposition is presented in order to help identify patients at highest risk for cardiac and endocrine complications. This manuscript reviews the current state of the art for monitoring global iron overload status as well as its compartmentalization. Plasma markers, computerized tomography, liver biopsy, magnetic susceptibility devices and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques are all discussed but MRI has come to dominate clinical practice. The potential impact of recent pancreatic and pituitary MRI studies on clinical practice are discussed as well as other works-in-progress. Clinical protocols are derived from experience in haemoglobinopathies but may provide useful guiding principles for other iron overload disorders, such as myelodysplastic syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- John C Wood
- Division of Cardiology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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33
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Positano V, Meloni A, Santarelli MF, Gerardi C, Bitti PP, Cirotto C, De Marchi D, Salvatori C, Landini L, Pepe A. Fast generation of T2⁎ maps in the entire range of clinical interest: Application to thalassemia major patients. Comput Biol Med 2015; 56:200-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2014.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2014] [Revised: 10/20/2014] [Accepted: 10/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Pfeifer CD, Schoennagel BP, Grosse R, Wang ZJ, Graessner J, Nielsen P, Adam G, Fischer R, Yamamura J. Pancreatic iron and fat assessment by MRI-R2* in patients with iron overload diseases. J Magn Reson Imaging 2014; 42:196-203. [PMID: 25236606 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.24752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2013] [Accepted: 08/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To determine the pancreatic iron (R2*) and fat content (FC) in comparison to hepatic and cardiac R2* in patients with iron overload disorders like β-thalassemia major (TM), Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) or hereditary hemochromatosis. METHODS R2* rates were assessed in the liver, heart and pancreas of 42 patients with TM, 29 subjects with other iron overload diseases, and 10 controls using an ECG-gated breathhold sequence (12 echo time [TE] = 1.3-25.7 ms, readout repetition time [TR] = 244 ms). Pancreatic R2* and FC were assessed from TE dependent region of interest based signal intensities performing water-fat chemical shift relaxometry and were compared with laboratory parameters (glucose, HbA1c, amylase and lipase). RESULTS A pancreatic iron gradient from tail (R2* = 122 s(-1) ) to head (R2* = 114 s(-1) , P < 10(-4) ) was found. The close association between cardiac and pancreatic R2* was also confirmed in patients with TM and other iron overload diseases (rs = 0.64, P < 10(-4) ). Receiver operator characteristic analysis (area: 0.89, P < 10(-4) ) identified patients with elevated cardiac iron at a pancreatic R2* cut-off level of 131s(-1) (sensitivity = specificity at 81%). Highest pancreatic R2* (211s(-1) ) and FC (36%) were found in the tail region of diabetic patients with TM. CONCLUSION Pancreatic tail showed highest R2* rates and fat contents, especially in patients with thalassemia. Besides iron accumulation fatty degeneration might be an additional risk factor for the development of diabetes in β-thalassemia major, but this hypothesis needs further studies in prediabetic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte D Pfeifer
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Bjoern P Schoennagel
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Regine Grosse
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Zhiyue J Wang
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | | | - Peter Nielsen
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Gerhard Adam
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Roland Fischer
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany.,UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, Oakland, California, USA
| | - Jin Yamamura
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
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Diffusion-weighted MRI of the normal adult pancreas: The effect of age on apparent diffusion coefficient values. Clin Radiol 2013; 68:e532-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2013.05.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2013] [Revised: 05/17/2013] [Accepted: 05/29/2013] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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36
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Pepe A, Meloni A, Rossi G, Caruso V, Cuccia L, Spasiano A, Gerardi C, Zuccarelli A, D'Ascola DG, Grimaldi S, Santodirocco M, Campisi S, Lai ME, Piraino B, Chiodi E, Ascioti C, Gulino L, Positano V, Lombardi M, Gamberini MR. Cardiac complications and diabetes in thalassaemia major: a large historical multicentre study. Br J Haematol 2013; 163:520-7. [DOI: 10.1111/bjh.12557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2013] [Accepted: 07/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Pepe
- Cardiovascular MR Unit; Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana and Institute of Clinical Physiology; Pisa Italy
| | - Antonella Meloni
- Cardiovascular MR Unit; Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana and Institute of Clinical Physiology; Pisa Italy
| | - Giuseppe Rossi
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit; Institute of Clinical Physiology; CNR; Pisa Italy
| | - Vincenzo Caruso
- Unità Operativa Dipartimentale Talassemia; P.O. “S. Luigi-Currò” - ARNAS Garibaldi; Catania Italy
| | - Liana Cuccia
- Serv. Prevenz. Diagnosi e Cura Talassemia; Ospedale “G. di Cristina”; Palermo Italy
| | - Anna Spasiano
- Unità Microcitemia; A.O.R.N. Cardarelli; Napoli Italy
| | | | - Angelo Zuccarelli
- Centro trasfusionale e di microcitemia; Ospedale civile; Olbia Italy
| | | | | | - Michele Santodirocco
- Centro Microcitemia - D.H. Thalassemia Poliambulatorio “Giovanni Paolo II”; Ospedale Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza; San Giovanni Rotondo Italy
| | | | - Maria E. Lai
- Centro Talassemici Adulti; Ospedale microcitemico; Cagliari Italy
| | - Basilia Piraino
- U.O. Genetica e Immunologia Pediatrica; Policlinico “G. Martino”; Messina Italy
| | - Elisabetta Chiodi
- Servizio Radiologia Ospedaliera-Universitaria; Arcispedale “S. Anna”; Ferrara Italy
| | - Claudio Ascioti
- Struttura Complessa di Cardioradiologia-UTIC; P.O. “Giovanni Paolo II”; Lamezia Terme Italy
| | - Letizia Gulino
- Cardiovascular MR Unit; Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana and Institute of Clinical Physiology; Pisa Italy
| | - Vincenzo Positano
- Cardiovascular MR Unit; Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana and Institute of Clinical Physiology; Pisa Italy
| | - Massimo Lombardi
- Cardiovascular MR Unit; Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana and Institute of Clinical Physiology; Pisa Italy
| | - Maria R. Gamberini
- Pediatria; Adolescentologia e Talassemia; Arcispedale “S. Anna”; Ferrara Italy
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Hezel F, Thalhammer C, Waiczies S, Schulz-Menger J, Niendorf T. High spatial resolution and temporally resolved T2* mapping of normal human myocardium at 7.0 Tesla: an ultrahigh field magnetic resonance feasibility study. PLoS One 2012; 7:e52324. [PMID: 23251708 PMCID: PMC3522647 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2012] [Accepted: 11/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Myocardial tissue characterization using T(2)(*) relaxation mapping techniques is an emerging application of (pre)clinical cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging. The increase in microscopic susceptibility at higher magnetic field strengths renders myocardial T(2)(*) mapping at ultrahigh magnetic fields conceptually appealing. This work demonstrates the feasibility of myocardial T(2)(*) imaging at 7.0 T and examines the applicability of temporally-resolved and high spatial resolution myocardial T(2)(*) mapping. In phantom experiments single cardiac phase and dynamic (CINE) gradient echo imaging techniques provided similar T(2)(*) maps. In vivo studies showed that the peak-to-peak B(0) difference following volume selective shimming was reduced to approximately 80 Hz for the four chamber view and mid-ventricular short axis view of the heart and to 65 Hz for the left ventricle. No severe susceptibility artifacts were detected in the septum and in the lateral wall for T(2)(*) weighting ranging from TE = 2.04 ms to TE = 10.2 ms. For TE >7 ms, a susceptibility weighting induced signal void was observed within the anterior and inferior myocardial segments. The longest T(2)(*) values were found for anterior (T(2)(*) = 14.0 ms), anteroseptal (T(2)(*) = 17.2 ms) and inferoseptal (T(2)(*) = 16.5 ms) myocardial segments. Shorter T(2)(*) values were observed for inferior (T(2)(*) = 10.6 ms) and inferolateral (T(2)(*) = 11.4 ms) segments. A significant difference (p = 0.002) in T(2)(*) values was observed between end-diastole and end-systole with T(2)(*) changes of up to approximately 27% over the cardiac cycle which were pronounced in the septum. To conclude, these results underscore the challenges of myocardial T(2)(*) mapping at 7.0 T but demonstrate that these issues can be offset by using tailored shimming techniques and dedicated acquisition schemes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Hezel
- Berlin Ultrahigh Field Facility (B.U.F.F.), Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christof Thalhammer
- Berlin Ultrahigh Field Facility (B.U.F.F.), Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sonia Waiczies
- Berlin Ultrahigh Field Facility (B.U.F.F.), Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a Joint Cooperation between the Charité Medical Faculty and the Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine, Campus Berlin Buch, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jeanette Schulz-Menger
- Berlin Ultrahigh Field Facility (B.U.F.F.), Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a Joint Cooperation between the Charité Medical Faculty and the Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine, Campus Berlin Buch, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Cardiology and Nephrology, HELIOS Klinikum Berlin Buch, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thoralf Niendorf
- Berlin Ultrahigh Field Facility (B.U.F.F.), Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, a Joint Cooperation between the Charité Medical Faculty and the Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine, Campus Berlin Buch, Berlin, Germany
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Serum ferritin levels and endocrinopathy in medically treated patients with β thalassemia major. Ann Hematol 2012; 91:1107-14. [DOI: 10.1007/s00277-012-1412-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2011] [Accepted: 01/11/2012] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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