Cardiac status in bone tumor survivors up to nearly 19 years after treatment with doxorubicin: A longitudinal study

✍ Scribed by Postma, A. ;Elzenga, N.J. ;Haaksma, J. ;Schasfoort-Van Leeuwen, M.J.M. ;Kamps, W.A. ;Bink-Boelkens, M.Th.E.

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2002
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 94 KB
• Volume: 39
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0098-1532
• DOI: 10.1002/mpo.10074

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Background

Longitudinal assessment of cardiac toxicity in anthracycline‐treated long‐term bone tumor survivors.

Procedures

Cardiac status was assessed in 29 patients 14.1 (range 7–18.7) years after treatment with doxorubicin (DOXO) 360 mg/m^2^ (median 225–550). The median age of the patients at the time of the study was 32.5 years (range 19.7–52). The evaluation consisted of an electrocardiogram (ECG), 24‐hr ambulatory ECG with analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) and echocardiography. The results were compared to those of a study of the same patients that was performed 5 years earlier 8.9 years (range 2.3–14.1) after treatment. [Postma et al.: Med Pediatr Oncol 26:230–237, 1996]

Results

We found no progression of ECG abnormalities, arrhythmias, or echocardiographic abnormalities. Females were at risk for reduced contractility (P = 0.006). HRV was significantly reduced compared to age‐ and sex‐matched controls and compared to the previous results.

Conclusions

Anthracycline‐related late echocardiographic abnormalities and arrhythmias detected 8.9 years after treatment, showed no further deterioration with ongoing follow‐up. However, there was a significant reduction of HRV. This suggests that HRV might be a sensitive test for detection of anthracycline‐induced cardiac toxicity. Med Pediatr Oncol 2002;39:86–92. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.