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. 2019 Jan;112(1):50-56.
doi: 10.5935/abc.20180220. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Left Ventricular Regional Wall Motion Abnormality is a Strong Predictor of Cardiotoxicity in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Márcio Vinícius Lins de Barros  1   2 , Ariane Vieira Scarlatelli Macedo  2 , Sebastian Imre Sarvari  3 , Monica Hermont Faleiros  2 , Patricia Tavares Felipe  2 , Jose Luiz Padilha Silva  4 , Thor Edvardsen  3
Affiliations

Left Ventricular Regional Wall Motion Abnormality is a Strong Predictor of Cardiotoxicity in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Márcio Vinícius Lins de Barros et al. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2019 Jan.

Abstract

Background: Chemotherapeutic agents of anthracyclines class and humanized monoclonal antibodies are effective treatments for breast cancer, however, they present a potential risk of cardiotoxicity. Several predictors have been recognized as predictors in the development of cardiac toxicity, and the evaluation of left ventricular segmental wall motion abnormalities (LVSWMA) has not been studied.

Objective: To analyze prospectively the role of LVSWMA among echocardiographic parameters in the prediction of development of cardiotoxicity in breast cancer patients undergoing treatment with chemotherapy.

Methods: Prospective cohort of patients diagnosed with breast cancer and in chemotherapy treatment with potential cardiotoxicity medications including doxorubicin and trastuzumab. Transthoracic echocardiograms including speckle tracking strain echocardiography were performed at standard times before, during and after the treatment to assess the presence (or lack thereof) of cardiotoxicity. Cardiotoxicity was defined by a 10% decrease in the left ventricular ejection fraction, on at least one echocardiogram. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to verify the predictors related to the occurrence of cardiotoxicity over time.

Results: Of the 112 patients selected (mean age 51,3 ± 12,9 years), 18 participants (16.1%) had cardiotoxicity. In the multivariate analysis using the logistic regression model, those with LVWMA (OR = 6.25 [CI 95%: 1.03; 37.95], p < 0,05), LV systolic dimension (1.34 [CI 95%: 1.01; 1.79], p < 0,05) and global longitudinal strain by speckle tracking (1.48 [CI 95%: 1.02; 2.12], p < 0,05) were strongly associated with cardiotoxicity.

Conclusion: In the present study, we showed that LVWMA, in addition to global longitudinal strains, were strong predictors of cardiotoxicity and could be useful in the risk stratification of these patients.

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Conflict of interest statement

Potential Conflict of Interest

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Two-dimensional echocardiography-guided M-mode showing abnormal motion of interventricular septum (arrow) during chemotherapy treatment. LV: left ventricle; RV: right ventricle.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Roc curve of the multivariate model with and without evaluation of segmental abnormal contractility.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

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