Transfusion hemosiderosis
| Transfusion hemosiderosis | |
|---|---|
Phlebotomy, erythrocytapheresis | |
| Medication | Iron chelation therapy |
Transfusional hemosiderosis is the accumulation of iron in the body due to frequent blood transfusions. Iron accumulates in the liver and heart, but also endocrine organs. Frequent blood transfusions may be given to many patients, such as those with thalassemia, sickle cell disease, leukemia, aplastic anemia, or myelodysplastic syndrome, among others. It is diagnosed with a blood transferrin test and a liver biopsy. It is treated with venipuncture, erythrocytapheresis, and iron chelation therapy.
Signs and symptoms
Transfusional hemosiderosis can cause cardiac arrhythmia and cardiomyopathy.[1]
Causes
Transfusional hemosiderosis is a potential side effect of frequent blood transfusions.[2] These may be given for a number of conditions, including:
Mechanism
Diagnosis
Transfusional hemosiderosis can be inferred with a blood transferrin test. Blood ferritin may be increased with a number of other conditions, so is less reliable for diagnosis.[4] A liver biopsy may be used, which is the most accurate diagnostic technique.[4] The level of siderosis seen in a liver biopsy can be graded by severity.[2]
Treatment
Transfusional hemosiderosis is treated with a number of therapies.
Prognosis
Transfusion hemosiderosis can cause permanent damage to tissues that may lead to death.[2] Tissue damage can remain even after chelation therapy.[2] Outcomes are usually worse in patients who require blood transfusions compared to those who can have alternative therapies.[2] Cardiomyopathy and cardiac arrhythmia are often a cause of death.[1]
Society
Ted DeVita died of transfusional iron overload from too many blood transfusions.[citation needed]
See also
References
- Lu JP, Hayashi K (1994). "Selective iron deposition in pancreatic islet B cells of transfusional iron-overloaded autopsy cases". Pathol. Int. 44 (3): 194–9. S2CID 25357672.