The Assessment of Renal Functional Reserve in β-Thalassemia Major Patients by an Innovative Ultrasound and Doppler Technique: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Beta-thalassemia syndromes are the most common inherited monogenic disorders worldwide. The most common pathophysiologic and clinical renal disease manifestations of in β-TM patients is the tubular dysfunctions related to iron overload, chronic anemia, and the need for chronic iron chelation therapy. The aim of this pilot study is to apply an innovative ultrasound and Doppler technique to assess the Renal Functional Reserve (RFR) in β-TM patients, and to evaluate its reliability in iron overload tubulopathy. Ultrasound assessment of intra-parenchymal renal resistive index variation (IRRIV) has recently been proposed as a safe and reproducible technique to identify RFR presence. We define the preserved RFR when the Delta Renal Resistive Index (RRI) is >0.05 (baseline RRI—minimum RRI value during stress) in the Renal Stress Test (RST). Nineteen β-TM patients were enrolled for this study. In our series, we found a strong negative correlation between mean ferritin values and Delta RRI (R = −0.51, p = 0.03). This pilot study suggested the RST as reliable tool for assessing the RFR by ultrasound. Specifically, RST could help in clinical practice suggesting the patient’s management and iron chelation therapy.