Cardiovascular T2-star (T2*) magnetic resonance for the early diagnosis of myocardial iron overload

Abstract

Myocardial iron deposition can be reproducibly quantified using myocardial T2* and this is the most significant variable for predicting the need for ventricular dysfunction treatment. Myocardial iron content cannot be predicted from serum ferritin or liver iron, and conventional assessments of cardiac function can only detect those with advanced disease. Early intensification of iron chelation therapy, guided by this technique, should reduce mortality from this reversible cardiomyopathy.