| Abstrakt: |
Cardiac size and function were evaluated in 47 clinically-well non-hypertransfused children with SS, age 0. 6 to 19 years, using echocardiography. Steady-state hemoglobin ranged from 5. 5 to 10. 0 gm%; in 29, =7 gm% (gp A) and in 16, <7 gm% (gp B). Age-matched normal children (48 Blacks, 52 Whites) were controls (N). Echo parameters included: RV dimension (RVD), LA dimension (LAD), LV dimension (LVD), LV wall thickness (W), LV mass (M), cardiac output (Q), and LV function parameters including circumferential fiber shortening velocity (VCF) and LV pre-ejection/ejection time ratio (PEP/ET). The 1n of BSA was plotted against In echo parameters except in VCF where In heart rate was used. Data were expressed in percent of predicted normal. Increased values (>2 SD from N mean) were observed for RVD (in 22%), LAD (in 54%), LVD (in 52%), W (in 28%), M (in 61%), Q (in 50%), VCF (in 7%) and PEP/ET (in 34%). Group t-tests vs N showed significant differences (p<0. 001) except for VCF. Gp B had greater LVD, M, and LAD than gp A (p<0.01 to <0.05). The degree of abnormality did not correlate with age. Children with SS have cardiac volume overload and a compensated high-output state. The abnormal LV wall and PEP/ET seen in certain patients may suggest secondary myocardial disease. |
