Association between Epicardial Adipose Tissue and Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Transfusion-Dependent ß-Thalassemia.

Background: Modern treatments for transfusion-dependent ß-thalassemia (TDßT) have allowed patients to reach high life expectancy with no iron overload. Despite survival improvement, atrial fibrillation (AF) has emerged as a relevant issue. AF pathophysiology and characteristics in TDßT are different than in the general population. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) may play a role but its relationship with AF in patients with TDßT has not been explored. Methods: A monocentric, cross-sectional study, enrolling consecutive patients with TDßT. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) was evaluated at magnetic resonance. Characteristics of patients with and without history of AF were investigated. Factors independently associated with AF prevalence were analyzed. Results: A total of 116 patients were enrolled. All patients were treated with regular chelation therapy. The prevalence of AF was 29.3% (34/116). Cardiac T2* and liver iron concentration were no different between patients with and without AF. EAT thickness was significantly higher in patients with AF at left atrium, right atrium and right ventricle (5.0 vs. 4.0 mm, p < 0.01, 4.4 vs. 4.0, p = 0.02 and 5.0 vs. 4.3, p = 0.04). Patients with AF presented with older age, (53 vs. 49 years, p < 0.01), more hypothyroidism (44.1 vs. 20.7%, p = 0.01), pulmonary hypertension (23.5 vs. 2.4% p < 0.01), splenectomy (88.2 vs. 64.6%, p = 0.01), higher right and left atrial volume (61 vs. 40 and 74 vs. 43 mL, both p < 0.01). At multivariable analysis, hypothyroidism, left atrial volume and left atrial EAT were independently associated with AF (odds ratio 9.95, 1.09 and 1.91, respectively). Conclusions: In a contemporary cohort of patients with TDßT, treated with regular chelation therapy, prevalence of AF was unrelated to iron overload. EAT was independently associated with AF.

Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants in Patients with ß-Thalassemia.

Background. Patients with ß-thalassemia have a high incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and other supraventricular arrhythmias. The use of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) for thromboembolic prophylaxis in patients with ß-thalassemia has not been systematically evaluated. Methods. We enrolled patients with transfusion-dependent ß-thalassemia, who were on treatment with NOACs for thromboembolic prophylaxis of supraventricular arrhythmias. Data on thromboembolic and bleeding events were collected. Results. Eighteen patients were enrolled. The patients had a history of AF (sixteen), typical atrial flutter (five), and atypical atrial flutter (four). The patients were treated with dabigatran (seven), apixaban (five), rivaroxaban (four) or edoxaban (two). The mean follow-up duration was 22 ± 15 months. No thromboembolic events were reported. No major bleedings were observed. Three patients had non-major bleeding events. Two patients reported dyspepsia during treatment with dabigatran and were shifted to a different NOAC. Conclusions. Our study suggests the efficacy and safety of NOACs in patients affected by transfusion-dependent ß-thalassemia.