A Rare Case of Beta Thalassemia with Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Tachycardia Insights into Cardiac Complications

  • Case Overview:
    • A 20-year-old female diagnosed with beta thalassemia major experienced recurrent breathlessness and palpitations. Despite regular blood transfusions and chelation therapy, she developed RVOT VT, a rare and life-threatening arrhythmia.
  • Medical Management:
    • The patient was initially treated with amiodarone and underwent electrical cardioversion when chemical treatment failed. However, the arrhythmia persisted until an Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (AICD) was implanted, effectively preventing further episodes of VT over a four-year follow-up period.
  • Iron Overload in Beta Thalassemia:
    • Beta thalassemia leads to chronic anemia, requiring frequent blood transfusions that can cause iron overload. This excess iron can accumulate in vital organs, including the heart, leading to complications such as cardiomyopathy and arrhythmias. In this case, iron deposits in the myocardium were a contributing factor to the patient’s VT.
  • Cardiac Complications:
    • Iron overload affects the heart’s conduction system, disrupting normal electrical impulses. This case underscores the importance of early diagnosis and intervention in preventing severe cardiac outcomes in thalassemia patients.

Integration of External Medical Sources:

Further Reading and Resources

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