Assessment of early epirubicin cardiotoxicity in women with breast cancer

Anticancer Res. 1997 Sep-Oct;17(5B):3889-91.

Abstract

Background: Anthracycline-containing chemotherapy has been the most frequently observed cause of iatrogenic cardiac damage in patients with breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate by radionuclide ventriculography whether a mean cumulative dose of epirubicin (MCDE) induced left ventricular (LV) systolic or/and diastolic dysfunction in 32 patients treated for breast cancer.

Materials and methods: Thirty-two patients with breast cancer according to chemotherapeutical trials received MCDE of 360 m/m2. All patients were studied before and after they completed chemotherapy with radionuclide ventriculography at rest. Systolic and diastolic left ventricular parameters were assessed.

Results: Diastolic left ventricular parameters and R-R intervals significantly differed before and after completed chemotherapy in our patients: peak filling rate (PFR: 2.8 +/- 0.6 vs. 2.2 +/- 0.7 EDV/sec) and time to filling rate (TPFR: 182 +/- 48 vs. 2.25 +/- 50 msec), R-R: 723 +/- 51 vs. 620 +/- 45 msec, p < 0.01. Ejection fraction, as a systolic parameter/did not significantly differ before and after completed chemotherapy (EF: 59 +/- 7 vs. 58 +/- 6%), p > 0.05.

Conclusion: Our results indicate that left ventricular diastolic dysfunction even at an MCDE of 360 mg/m2 may be an early sign of epirubicin cardiotoxicity.

MeSH terms

  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / adverse effects*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Diastole / drug effects
  • Epirubicin / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Systole / drug effects
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / chemically induced*

Substances

  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
  • Epirubicin