Rupture of chordae tendineae in patients with beta-thalassemia

Eur J Haematol. 2004 Apr;72(4):296-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0609.2004.00213.x.

Abstract

Cardiac disease is the primary cause of mortality in beta-thalassemia patients. Except for ventricular dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension that represent the main forms of heart disease in these patients, valvular abnormalities including valvular regurgitation, endocardial thickening and calcification and mitral valve prolapse have also been described. Here we present two patients with thalassemia major and mitral chordal rupture, a previously undescribed abnormality in this population. Pathogenesis of this finding may involve thalassemia-related pseudoxanthoma elasticum-like syndrome, a diffuse elastic tissue defect, which is observed with a notable frequency in these patients and has been associated with numerous cardiovascular complications, including valvular ones.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Calcinosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Calcinosis / etiology
  • Chordae Tendineae / diagnostic imaging
  • Chordae Tendineae / pathology*
  • Echocardiography
  • Elastic Tissue / pathology
  • Female
  • Heart Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Diseases / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mitral Valve Insufficiency / diagnostic imaging
  • Mitral Valve Insufficiency / etiology*
  • Rupture, Spontaneous
  • beta-Thalassemia / complications*