A Double-Blind, Controlled, Crossover Trial of Amlodipine on Iron Overload Status in Transfusion Dependent ꞵ-Thalassemia Patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIM This study examined whether administration of amlodipine could improve myocardial iron loading status in patients with transfusion dependent β-thalassemia (TDT), through a placebo-controlled, crossover study. METHODS Amlodipine (5 mg, daily) or placebo were prescribed to all patients (n = 19) for 6 months, and after a 2-week washout period, patients were crossed over to the other group. The efficacy of amlodipine on iron loading was assessed by measuring myocardial T2*-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI T2*, millisecond [ms]) and serum ferritin (ng/mL). RESULTS Seventeen patients completed the study. The mean ± standard deviation [SD] of myocardial MRI T2* at baseline was 9.83 ± 2.67 ms. Myocardial MRI T2* value rose to 11.44 ± 4.14 ms post amlodipine treatment in all patients. After placebo, myocardial MRI T2* value reached 10.29 ± 4.01 ms. After controlling the baseline measures, Hedges's g for ferritin and myocardial MRI T2* outcomes were estimated 3.84 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.68 to 4.97) and -1.80 (95% CI -2.58 -0.10), respectively. CONCLUSION Amlodipine might improve myocardial MRI T2* and serum ferritin level compared to placebo. However, larger clinical studies are needed to confirm the results.