Prevalence of Pulmonary Hypertension among Patients with β- thalassemia Major in Erbil Province -Iraq

Abstract

Background:Cardiac manifestation including heart failure, arrhythmia, and pulmonary hypertension are well recognized among β-thalassemia major patients.Pulmonary hypertension is responsible for about half of their mortalities yearly. Objective:To estimate the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension and identifying the risk factors among β-thalassemia major patients. Patients and Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in Thalassemia Center and Rizgary Teaching Hospital in Erbil-Iraq during the period from 1st of April to 31st of December, 2017 on a convenient sample of 100 patients with β-thalassemia major. The prevalence of pulmonary hypertension was determined and the diagnosis based on Echography findings. Results: Pulmonary hypertension was observed among 31% of β-thalassemia major patients. The prevalence was significantly related to age, history of splenectomy, improper chelation therapy and obesity, as well (p value =0.04, 0.01, 0.03 and 0.01 respectively). Moreover; the severity of pulmonary hypertension was significantly associated with older age (p= 0.007) and mean lower ejection fraction (p <0.001). Conclusion:The prevalence of pulmonary hypertension among our patients with β-thalassemia major is within acceptable range.