scholarly journals Left ventricular dyssynchrony in long-term childhood cancer survivors treated with anthracyclines: a retrospective cross-sectional study

Author(s):  
Milanthy S. Pourier ◽  
Myrthe M. Dull ◽  
Gert Weijers ◽  
Jacqueline Loonen ◽  
Louise Bellersen ◽  
...  

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate left ventricular contraction patterns in asymptomatic Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2DSTE). Left ventricular longitudinal and circumferential myocardial parameters were assessed using 2DSTE, in asymptomatic CCS and age matched healthy controls. Time to peak (T2P) systolic strain was quantified. Dyssynchrony index (DI) was measured by calculating the standard deviation of T2P systolic strain of six segments in each view. Difference between T2P systolic longitudinal strain of septal and lateral wall was also assessed as a parameter for dyssynchrony. We included 115 CCS with a median age of 17.2 years (range 5.6–39.5) and a median follow up of 11.3 years (range 4.9–29.5) and 119 controls. Conventional echocardiographic parameters and global longitudinal strain were significantly decreased in CCS compared to controls (p < 0.01 and p = 0.02, respectively). Dyssynchrony index did not differ between CCS and controls. There was a clinically insignificant smaller absolute difference between T2P systolic longitudinal of septal and lateral wall in CCS compared to controls. We showed no difference in longitudinal or circumferential left ventricular dyssynchrony in CCS compared to controls using 2DSTE. Future research should focus on assessing dyssynchrony in more segments and a larger CCS population, using both 2D and 3DSTE.

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (12) ◽  
pp. 1494-1500
Author(s):  
Jyothsna Akam-Venkata ◽  
Gilda Kadiu ◽  
James Galas ◽  
Steven E. Lipshultz ◽  
Sanjeev Aggarwal

AbstractAim:Anthracycline-associated cardiotoxicity in childhood cancer survivors may relate to global or segmental left ventricular abnormalities from associated thromboembolic events and myocardial microinfarcts. We characterized left ventricular segmental changes by two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography in anthracycline-treated asymptomatic childhood cancer survivors.Methods and Results:Childhood cancer survivors’ echocardiograms with normal left ventricular fractional shortening >1 year after anthracycline chemotherapy were studied. Cancer-free control children had normal echocardiograms. Apical two-, three-, and four-chamber peak systolic left ventricular longitudinal and global longitudinal strain, and peak systolic left ventricular radial and circumferential strain at papillary muscle levels were analyzed. The mean (standard deviation) age was 12.7 (3.8) years in 41 childhood cancer survivors. The median (interquartile range) follow-up after anthracycline chemotherapy was 4.73 (2.15–8) years. The median (range) cumulative anthracycline dose was 160.2 (60–396.9) mg/m2. In childhood cancer survivors, the mean (standard deviation) left ventricular longitudinal strain was lower in two- (−18.6 [3.2] versus −21.3 [2.5], p < 0.001), three- (−16.3 [6.0] versus −21.7 [3.0], p < 0.001), and four- (−17.6 [2.7] versus −20.8 [2.0], p < 0.001) chamber views compared to controls. The left ventricular global longitudinal strain (−17.6 [2.7] versus −21.3 [2.0]) and circumferential strain (−20.8 [4.3] versus −23.5 [2.6], p < 0.001) were lower in childhood cancer survivors. Among childhood cancer survivors, 12 out of 16 left ventricular segments had significantly lower longitudinal strain than controls.Conclusions:Asymptomatic anthracycline-treated childhood cancer survivors with normal left ventricular fractional shortening had lower global longitudinal and circumferential strain. The left ventricular longitudinal strain was lower in majority of the segments, suggesting that anthracycline cardiotoxicity is more global than regional.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jussi Niemelä ◽  
Kaisa Ylänen ◽  
Anu Suominen ◽  
Kuberan Pushparajah ◽  
Sujeev Mathur ◽  
...  

Background: The majority of childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) have been exposed to cardiotoxic treatments and often present with modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. Our aim was to evaluate the value of left ventricular (LV) longitudinal strain for increasing the sensitivity of cardiac dysfunction detection among CCSs.Methods: We combined two national cohorts: neuroblastoma and other childhood cancer survivors treated with anthracyclines. The final data consisted of 90 long-term CCSs exposed to anthracyclines and/or high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell rescue and followed up for &gt; 5 years and their controls (n = 86). LV longitudinal strain was assessed with speckle tracking (Qlab) and LV ejection fraction (EF) by three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE).Results: Of the CCSs, 11% (10/90) had abnormal LV longitudinal strain (i.e., &lt; -17.5%); of those, 70% (7/10) had normal 3DE LV EF. Multivariable linear model analysis demonstrated that follow-up time (p = 0.027), sex (p = 0.020), and BMI (p = 0.002) were significantly associated with LV longitudinal strain. Conversely, cardiac risk group, hypertension, age, cumulative anthracycline dose or exposure to chest radiation were not.Conclusion: LV longitudinal strain is a more sensitive method than LV EF for the detection of cardiac dysfunction among CCSs. Therefore, LV longitudinal strain should be added to the screening panel, especially for those with modifiable cardiovascular risk factors.


2016 ◽  
Vol 68 (Suppl. 3) ◽  
pp. 10-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saro H. Armenian

While the increased rates of survival in childhood cancers have increased progressively in recent decades, many childhood cancer survivors will have at least one chronic health condition within 40 years of age. In this regard, cardiovascular complications have emerged as a leading cause of long-term morbidity and mortality in long-term survivors of childhood cancer, likely due to exposure to anthracycline chemotherapy, and outcomes in patients with anthracycline-related cardiomyopathy remain poor. Some progress has been made in understanding the mechanisms at the basis of anthracycline-related cardiomyopathy, which appear to involve generation of reactive oxygen species, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction, followed by myocyte apoptosis and maladaptive left ventricular remodeling. Even if several guidelines currently exist for monitoring cancer patients treated with cardiotoxic therapies who are at high risk for heart failure, much work remains to be done in finding reliable markers for screening for cardiac dysfunction. Studies from our group have identified alterations in L-carnitine in cancer survivors. While additional investigations are needed, preliminary studies suggest a role for carnitine in primary prevention (during treatment) and secondary prevention (to improve function after treatment).


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (03) ◽  
pp. 141-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier S. Morales ◽  
Pedro L. Valenzuela ◽  
Alba M. Herrera-Olivares ◽  
Antonio Baño-Rodrigo ◽  
Adrián Castillo-García ◽  
...  

AbstractThis study analyzed the effects of physical exercise interventions on cardiovascular endpoints in childhood cancer survivors. Relevant articles were systematically searched in PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases (since inception to 11th September 2019). We performed a meta-analysis (random effects) to determine the mean difference (expressed together with 95% confidence intervals) between pre- and post-intervention values for those cardiovascular endpoints reported in more than three studies. Twenty-seven studies (of which 16 were controlled studies) comprising 697 participants were included. Only three studies reported adverse events related to exercise interventions. Exercise resulted in an increased performance on the 6-minute walk distance test (mean difference=111 m, 95% confidence interval=39–183, p=0.003) and a non-significant trend (mean difference=1.97 ml∙kg−1∙min−1, 95% confidence interval=−0.12–4.06, p=0.065) for improvement in peak oxygen uptake. Furthermore, left ventricular ejection fraction was preserved after exercise interventions (mean difference=0.29%, 95% confidence interval=−1.41–1.99, p=0.738). In summary, exercise interventions might exert a cardioprotective effect in childhood cancer survivors by improving – or attenuating the decline of – physical capacity and cardiovascular function. Further studies, particularly randomized controlled trials, are needed to confirm these benefits.


2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (10) ◽  
pp. 1050-1057 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven E. Lipshultz ◽  
David C. Landy ◽  
Gabriela Lopez-Mitnik ◽  
Stuart R. Lipsitz ◽  
Andrea S. Hinkle ◽  
...  

Purpose To determine whether cardiovascular abnormalities in childhood cancer survivors are restricted to patients exposed to cardiotoxic anthracyclines and cardiac irradiation and how risk factors for atherosclerotic disease and systemic inflammation contribute to global cardiovascular status. Methods We assessed echocardiographic characteristics and atherosclerotic disease risk in 201 survivors of childhood cancer with and without exposure to cardiotoxic treatments at a median of 11 years after diagnosis (range, 3 to 32 years) and in 76 sibling controls. Results The 156 exposed survivors had below normal left ventricular (LV) mass, wall thickness, contractility, and fractional shortening and above normal LV afterload. The 45 unexposed survivors also had below normal LV mass overall, and females had below normal LV wall thickness. Exposed and unexposed survivors, compared with siblings, had higher levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (81.7 and 69.0 pg/mL, respectively, v 39.4 pg/mL), higher mean fasting serum levels of non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (126.5 and 121.1 mg/dL, respectively, v 109.8 mg/dL), higher insulin levels (10.4 and 10.5 μU/mL, respectively, v 8.2 μU/mL), and higher levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (2.7 and 3.1 mg/L, respectively, v 0.9 mg/L; P < .001 for all comparisons). Age-adjusted, predicted-to-ideal 30-year risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, or coronary death was also higher for exposed and unexposed survivors compared with siblings (2.16 and 2.12, respectively, v 1.70; P < .01 for both comparisons). Conclusion Childhood cancer survivors not receiving cardiotoxic treatments nevertheless have cardiovascular abnormalities, systemic inflammation, and an increased risk of atherosclerotic disease. Survivorship guidelines should address cardiovascular concerns, including the risk of atherosclerotic disease and systemic inflammation, in exposed and unexposed survivors.


2016 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 1086-1090 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sachie Kaneko ◽  
Edythe B. Tham ◽  
Mark J. Haykowsky ◽  
Maria Spavor ◽  
Nee S. Khoo ◽  
...  

Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 1274-1274
Author(s):  
Hirotsugu Okuma ◽  
Hiroshi Yagasaki ◽  
Katsuyoshi Shimozawa ◽  
Hideo Mugishima ◽  
Nobutaka Noto

Abstract Background: Previous studies of childhood cancer survivors demonstrated the existence of transient or persistent left ventricular (LV) regional wall motion abnormalities (WMA) after treatment with anthracyclines, but the differential impact on deformation of persistent regional WMA against global LV myocardial performance is unknown. Methods: To investigate whether childhood cancer survivors after treatment with anthracyclines with persistent LV regional WMA have a poorer LV myocardial performance compared to those without WMA, 34 long-term childhood cancer survivors (mean age 14.6±4.0 years) with a median cumulative anthracycline dose 234.7mg/m2 (range 80-625mg/m2) who had been off treatment for ≥ 5 years and a preserved LV ejection fraction (EF) (>55%), and 12 healthy control subjects, were studied by using 3D speckle-tracking echocardiography (3D STE). The 34 patients were divided into two groups according to the existence of regional WMA: group 1 (with WMA, n=14), group 2 (without WMA, n=20). 3D STE was performed to assess LV global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS), global radial strain (GRS), global area strain (GAS), LV torsion, LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), LV end-systolic volume (LVESV), LVEF, and LV systolic dyssynchrony index (SDI: % of SD of time to peak of the 16-segment/R-R interval). Results: Of the 14 patients with WMA, regional WMA was seen at mid-anterior septum in 13 patients (92.8%) and apical septum in 1 patient (7.2%). There was no statistical difference in LVEDV, LVESV, LVEF, GLS, LV torsion or SDI derived from GLS, GCS, GAS among the 3 groups. In contrast, there were significant differences in GRS (p<0.001), GAS (p<0.018), GCS (p<0.025), and SDI derived from GRS (p<0.01) among the 3 groups. Compared with group 2, group 1 had significantly reduced GRS (14.3±6.1% vs. 33.1±10.1%, p=0.003), GCS (-23.5±3.7% vs. -33.9±6.5%, p=0.026), GAS (-34.3±5.1% vs. -45.41±6.6%, p=0.034, respectively), and greater SDI derived from GRS (16.5±5.1% vs. 6.9±2.9%, p<0.01, respectively). Moreover, existence of WMA was correlated with GRS (p<0.0001), SDI derived from GRS (p<0.0001), LVEF (p=0.036), and cumulative dose (p=0.049). Multiple linear regression analysis identified GRS as a significant determinant of the existence of WMA (β=0.751, p=0.001). Conclusion: Childhood cancer survivors after anthracycline therapy with persistent regional WMA show a poorer LV myocardial performance with mechanical dyssynchrony compared to those without regional WMA, despite a preserved LVEF. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


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