N-terminal-pro-b-type natriuretic peptide levels and cardiac hemosiderosis in adolescent β-thalassemia major patients

Iron-induced cardiomyopathy remains the leading cause of mortality in patients with β-thalassemia major. Iron overload cardiomyopathy, which may be reversible through iron chelation, is characterized by early diastolic dysfunction. Amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a sensitive biomarker of diastolic dysfunction