T2* and ejection fraction between deferiprone (DFP) and desferrioxamine (DFO).

The ejection fraction and myocardial T2* was measured in a cross-sectional study of matched thalassemia patients on monotherapy with DFP (due to intolerance to DFO) or DFO. The ejection fraction and the myocardial T2* was significantly higher in the DFP group. Randomized controlled studies are now underway to determine if these preliminary findings represent improved access of DFP to myocardial iron, which, if true, would represent a significant clinical advance in the management of the cardiac complications of thalassemia.