Use of rapid cardiac magnetic resonance imaging to guide chelation therapy in patients with transfusion-dependent thalassaemia in India: UMIMI study

To explore the impact of incorporating a faster cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging protocol in a low–middle-income country (LMIC) and using the result to guide chelation in transfusion-dependent patients.

A prospective UK–India collaborative cohort study was conducted in two cities in India. Two visits 13 months apart included clinical assessment and chelation therapy recommendations based on rapid CMR results. Participants were recruited by the local patient advocate charity, who organized the patient medical camps. The average scanning time was 11.3 ± 2.5 min at the baseline and 9.8 ± 2.4 min (P < 0.001) at follow-up. The baseline visit was attended by 103 patients (mean age 25 years) and 83% attended the second assessment. At baseline, 29% had a cardiac T₂* < 20 ms, which represents significant iron loading, and 12% had left ventricular ejection fraction <60%, the accepted lower limit in this population. Only 3% were free of liver iron (T₂* ≥ 17 ms). At 13 months, more patients were taking intensified dual chelation therapy (43% vs. 55%, P = 0.002). In those with cardiac siderosis (baseline T₂* < 20 ms), there was an improvement in T₂*—10.9 ± 5.9 to 13.5 ± 8.7 ms, P = 0.005—and fewer were classified as having clinically important cardiac iron loading (T₂* < 20 ms, 24% vs. 16%, P < 0.001). This is the first illustration in an LMIC that incorporating CMR results into patient management plans can improve cardiac iron loading.

For thalassaemia patients in an LMIC, a simplified CMR protocol linked to therapeutic recommendation via the patient camp model led to enhanced chelation therapy and a reduction in cardiac iron in 1 year.