Pulmonary hypertension in β-thalassemia major and the role of L-carnitine therapy

Cardiac complications, such as pulmonary hypertension (PHT), are the leading cause of death in β-thalassemia patients. L-Carnitine, due to its role in fatty acid oxidation, might help control the elevation in pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP). The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of PHT in β-thalassemia major patients, identify clinical predictors for its development, and determine the potential effects of L-carnitine. In total, 32 patients with β-thalassemia major were recruited; 16 age- and sex-matched children constituted the control group. Cardiac evaluation was performed by using echocardiography. The patients with PHT received 50 mg/kg/day L-carnitine orally for 3 months and were then reevaluated. Based on PASP, the patients were divided into group A without PHT and group B with PHT. The prevalence of PHT was 37.5%. The other echocardiographic measurements were not significantly different between groups A and B. PASP did not have any significant correlation with the fol...