Left ventricular global function index and left ventricular mass volume ratio by CMR: relation with heart failure in Thalassemia major patients

Background Recently two novels indicators of left ventricular (LV) performance assessed by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (CMR) have been introduced: the LV global function index (LVGFI) and the LV mass/volume ratio (LVMVR). The LVGFI combines LV stroke volume, end-systolic and end diastolic volumes, as well as LV mass, integrating structural as well as mechanical behaviour. Elevated LVMVR is indicative of concentric remodelling. A LVGFI 1 were shown to be associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular events in no-thalassemic populations. This retrospective cohort study aimed to systematically evaluate in a large historical cohort of thalassemia major (TM) in the CMR era whether the LVGFI and the LVMVR were associated with a higher risk of heart failure.