Abstract #4506

Characterization of Chelation Therapies in Thalassemia Patients by Longitudinal Analysis of MRI-Assessed Cardiac & Hepatic Iron Overload

Antonella Meloni¹, John C. Wood², Alessia Pepe¹, Leila J. Noetzli², Maria Chiara Dell'Amico¹, Gianluca Valeri³, Claudio Ascioti⁴, Petra Keilberg¹, Massimo Lombardi¹, Vincenzo Positano¹

¹Fondazione G.Monasterio CNR-Regione Toscana & Institute of Clinical Physiology, Pisa, Italy; ²Childrens Hospital, Los Angeles, United States; ³Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti "Umberto I-Lancisi-Salesi", Ancona, Italy; ⁴P.O. Giovanni Paolo II, Lamezia Terme, Italy

The gradient echo multiecho T2* MRI technique is the most robust method for the sensitive, fast, and reproducible quantification of cardiac and hepatic iron overload in thalassemia patients. Longitudinal analysis of cardiac and hepatic iron overload by regular MRI screening allows the characterization of chelation therapies efficacy and mechanism in thalassemia patients.