Current and future treatment strategies for iron overload cardiomyopathy

Iron overload cardiomyopathy is the major cause of death in transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) patients. Growing evidence demonstrates that combined iron chelators, or the combination of an iron chelator with antioxidant(s) are effective in diminishing myocardial iron deposition and attenuating cardiac dysfunction. This review comprehensively summarizes basic and clinical reports on the therapeutic efficacy of combined iron chelators, or the combination of an iron chelator with antioxidant(s) on the heart. Promising benefits of these treatments in preventing cardiac dysfunction due to iron overload could provide extensive insight into future therapeutic strategies for better treatment and prevention of cardiomyopathy in TDT patients. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.