Iron overload thalassemic cardiomyopathy: iron status assessment and mechanisms of mechanical and electrical disturbance due to iron toxicity

S Lekawanvijit, N Chattipakorn - Canadian Journal of Cardiology, 2009 - Elsevier
Patients with thalassemia major have inevitably suffered from complications of the disease,
due to iron overload. Among such complications, cardiomyopathy is the leading cause of
morbidity and mortality (63.6% to 71%). The major causes of death in this group of patients
are congestive heart failure and fatal cardiac tachyarrhythmias leading to sudden cardiac
death. The free radical-mediated pathway is the principal mechanism of iron toxicity. The
consequent series of events caused by iron overload lead to catastrophic cardiac effects …