Reduced left ventricular (LV) systolic function, as measured by fractional area change (FAC), was associated with increased cardiac complications in patients with beta thalassemia major, according to a study published in Th e International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging. The crosssectional study included 292 patients (mean age, 36.72 years) and 20 healthy controls. The researchers used cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging to assess LV systolic and diastolic indexes, myocardial iron overload (MIO), and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). While LV function was similar between patients with beta thalassemia and controls, reduced LV systolic index correlated with significant MIO (t 2<20 ms; OR, 3.13) and presence of LGE. Th rough multivariate analysis, the researchers identified global heart t2 and LGE as independent determinants of LV systolic index. Patients with lower LV systolic index were more likely to have cardiac disease (OR, 5.34), while no significant correlates were found for LV diastolic function. Th e researchers concluded that MIO and myocardial fibrosis are key predictors of cardiac dysfunction in patients with well-managed beta thalassemia major