Transfusional hemosiderosis is the accumulation of iron in the body due to frequent blood transfusions. Iron accumulates in the liver and heart, but also endocrine organs. Frequent blood transfusions may be given to many patients, such as those with thalassemia, sickle cell disease, leukemia, aplastic anemia, or myelodysplastic syndrome, among others. It is diagnosed with a blood transferrin test and a liver biopsy. It is treated with venipuncture, erythrocytapheresis, and iron chelation therapy. Signs and symptoms
Transfusional hemosiderosis can cause cardiac arrhythmia and cardiomyopathy. Causes
Transfusional hemosiderosis is a potential side effect of frequent blood transfusions. These may be given for a number of conditions, including:

thalassemia. sickle cell disease. leukemia. aplastic anemia. myelodysplastic syndrome. Mechanism
Hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying molecule in a red blood cell, contains iron. The body has limited ways to store and remove iron. When red blood cells (RBCs) die, they are consumed by macrophages. Transfused RBCs have shorter lifespans that native ones, so they die and are consumed more frequently by the macrophages, which causes the latter to die from excess iron which is then released into the blood. Therefore, with frequent blood transfusions, iron builds up in the body over time. This can enter the liver, heart, pancreas, and endocrine organs. Free iron increases the production of oxygen radicals (mostly hydroxyl radicals) that cause damage to cells (particularly their DNA). Diagnosis
Transfusional hemosiderosis can be inferred with a blood transferrin test. Blood ferritin may be increased with a number of other conditions, so is less reliable for diagnosis.
The underlying causes of the condition, such as over-prescription of anticoagulants, must be addressed as well so that the hemopericardium does not return.While hemopericardium itself is not fatal, it may lead to cardiac tamponade, which can be deadly if not treated promptly. One study found that cardiac tamponade was fatal in 13.3% of cases in which it was not caused by a malignant disease. Research
Studies have shown that hemopericardium can occur spontaneously in people with essential thrombocythemia, although this is relatively rare. It is a more common occurrence in patients who have been over-prescribed anticoagulants. Regardless of the underlying cause of the hemopericardium, pericardiocentesis has shown to be the best treatment method for the condition. References


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