Background: Anthracycline affects various cell lines, which may contribute to left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and vascular remodelling.
Aim: To assess the complex influence of anthracycline chemotherapy on the echocardiographic parameters of LV systolic and diastolic function and indices of vascular function and structure.
Methods: 35 women (age 50 ± 9 years old) with breast cancer scheduled for standard anthracycline chemotherapy were enrolled into the study. Examinations were performed at the baseline and six months after the last dose of anthracycline with a clinical follow-up of 9-12 months. LV systolic and diastolic function were assessed by: ejection fraction, transmitral flow, isovolumetric relaxation time, Tei index, mitral ring movement velocity and E/E' ratio. Vascular parameters, including flow-mediated dilatation, intima-media thickness (IMT), aortic compliance, common carotid artery (CCA) compliance, and stiffness indices b were measured.
Results: None of the patients revealed any cardiovascular symptoms during follow-up. LV systolic function parameters remained normal. However, LV end-diastolic diameter (46 ± 3.5 vs. 48 ± 4 mm, p = 0.004) and LV end-diastolic volume (101 ± 25 vs. 112 ± 26 mL, p = 0.01) increased. The diastolic function changed - the Tei index increased (0.49 ± 0.09 vs. 0.54 ± 0.1, p = 0.04) and E' (p = 0.049), A' (p = 0.02) and S (p = 0.01) decreased. The E/E' index increased (p < 0.0001) within the LV lateral wall. We observed an increase in carotid IMT (p < 0.0001), a decrease in aortic compliance (p = 0.042) and CCA compliance (p = 0.004), and an increase in aorta as well as the CCA stiffness indices (p = 0.046, p = 0.003, respectively).
Conclusions: Standard-dose anthracycline chemotherapy is associated with LV dilatation and diastolic dysfunction, regardless of the preserved global systolic function. It coexists with negative structural arterial remodelling.