Correlation between Heart and Liver Iron Levels Measured by MRI T2* and Serum Ferritin in Patients with β-thalassemia Major

Background Transfusion-induced iron overload leads to many complications in patients with β-thalassemia major. This study aimed to compare the level of iron stored in the liver and heart measured by MRI T2 * with ferritin levels in these patients. Materials and Methods This study was done on 52 patients with β-thalassemia major aged 7 to 29 years. Serum ferritin level was checked and heart and liver MRI T2* operation was performed, then the liver and heart iron level measured by MRI T2 * was compared with serum ferritin levels. Results 150-180 cc/kg packed cells were received on average. The mean ± SD serum ferritin level was 2644.8±1988.3 ng/mL. The mean ± SD relaxation times in liver and heart MRI T2* were 4.39±5.8 and 26.59±10.62 millisecond, respectively. A negative significant correlation was found between serum ferritin levels and liver MRI T2* (P<0.05, r= -0.374). However, no statistically significant association was observed between serum ferritin levels and heart MRI T2*(P> 0.05). Conclusion Since there was no correlation between serum ferritin levels and cardiac iron levels, accurate assessment of cardiac iron load using MRI T2* is necessary in patients with β-thalassemia major. Serum ferritin level is reliable for assessing liver iron levels.