The Effects of L-Carnitine on Echocardiographic Changes in Patients With β-Thalassemia Major and Intermedia.

INTRODUCTION

Heart failure, fatal arrhythmias, and cardiac dilatation because of anemia are common causes of β-thalassemia major-related deaths. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of L-carnitine on echocardiographic changes in β-thalassemia major and intermedia patients in Besat Hospital in Sanandaj, Iran.

METHODS

In a randomized clinical trial, 60 β-thalassemia patients who were eligible for L-carnitine administration were randomly divided into 2 placebo and study drug groups. The duration of the study was 6 months. Using echocardiography and blood tests, cardiac parameters including left ventricular dilatation, left ventricular hypertrophy, and a number of cardiac blood indices were examined before and after the intervention. The data were analyzed using SPSS V.23 software, χ, and covariance statistical tests.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of age and sex. Patients treated with L-carnitine have a reduced rate of left ventricular dilatation, left ventricular hypertrophy, and systolic blood pressure compared with controls (P<0.05). Cardiac output increased from 43.5 to 56.5 (P=0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study showed that the drug has a positive effect on the improvement of cardiac indices in β-thalassemia patients. Therefore, we suggest that further studies with more samples and other diagnostic modalities of the drug's effect be investigated.