Trastuzumab-mediated cardiac dysfunction (CDx) outside of clinical trials: Single Asian center experience

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e20732-e20732
Author(s):  
J. Park ◽  
S. Han ◽  
D. Oh ◽  
J. Kim ◽  
H. Lee ◽  
...  

e20732 Background: Trastuzumab is an effective drug for the treatment of HER2 positive breast cancer (BC) and CDx has been reported as a major toxicity. The purpose of our study was to investigate the trastuzumab mediated CDx in practice setting and the treatment outcome at single Asian center. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 181 HER2-overexpressing BC patients (pts) who were treated with trastuzumab containing regimen between January 2005 and December 2007 at Seoul National University Hospital. We investigated the incidence of CDx and the degree of reversibility using echocardiography (EchoCG) and identify the risk factors to predict CDx. Results: Among 181 patients (pts), 112 were treated for palliative purpose and 139 had previously received anthracycline-based chemotherapy. Baseline EchoCG results were available in 129 pts (median age 47; range 25–79) and median left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 59% (range 45–70). Median follow-up duration was 21 months. LVEF decreased more than 5% points in 37 out of 129 (28.6%). According to the national cancer institute common terminology criteria for adverse events, grade (G) 2 and G 3/4 CDx developed in 4 (3.1%) and 8 (6.2%) pts respectively. Seven pts experienced symptomatic heart failure (HF). 3 among 5 pts who experienced discontinuation of trastuzumab could resume trastuzumab after median 146 (range 94–163) days of discontinuation. Median LVEF was 54% (range 45–63) at baseline in pts who experienced G2–4 CDx and deceased to 45% (range 30–49) after median 175 (range 65–415) days of trastuzumab treatment. HF treatment was initiated in 9 pts. 4 pts received angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), 3 pts angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) and 2 pts ACEI or ARB with diuretics. Occurrence of CDx (G2–4) was associated with higher anthracycline cumulative doses (p=0.039) and lower baseline LVEF (p=0.003). The incidence of symptomatic HF was related with past medical history such as hypertension (p=0.019) and lower baseline LVEF (p=0.005). Among the pts who had G2–4 CDx, LVEF was restored to 54% (range 40–59) which was similar to baseline at median 187 (range 56–477) days after the diagnosis of CDx. Conclusions: The majority pts with trastuzumab-mediated CDx were asymptomatic and LVEF could be reversible. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

2017 ◽  
Vol 03 (01) ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
John J Atherton ◽  
Annabel Hickey ◽  
◽  
◽  

Large-scale randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers and beta-blockers decrease mortality and hospitalisation in patients with heart failure (HF) associated with a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. This has led to high prescription rates; however, these drugs are generally prescribed at much lower doses than the doses achieved in the RCTs. A number of strategies have been evaluated to improve medication titration in HF, including forced medication up-titration protocols, point-of-care decision support and extended scope of clinical practice for nurses and pharmacists. Most successful strategies have been multifaceted and have adapted existing multidisciplinary models of care. Furthermore, given the central role of general practitioners in long-term monitoring and care coordination in HF patients, these strategies should engage with primary care to facilitate the transition between the acute and primary healthcare sectors.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
C. C. Barron ◽  
M.M. Alhussein ◽  
U. Kaur ◽  
T. L. Cosman ◽  
N. Kumar Tyagi ◽  
...  

Background The major limitation in the use of trastuzumab therapy is cardiotoxicity. We evaluated the safety of a strategy of continuing trastuzumab in patients with breast cancer despite mild, asymptomatic left ventricular impairment.Methods Charts of consecutive patients referred to a cardio-oncology clinic from January 2015 to March 2017 for decline in left ventricular ejection fraction (lvef), defined as a fall of 10 percentage points or more, or a value of less than 50% during trastuzumab therapy, were reviewed. The primary outcome of interest was change in lvef, measured before and during trastuzumab exposure and up to 3 times after initiation of cardiac medications during a median of 9 months.Results All 18 patients referred for decline in lvef chose to remain on trastuzumab and were included. All patients were treated with angiotensin converting–enzyme inhibitors or beta-blockers, or both. After initiation of cardiac medications, lvef increased over time by 4.6 percentage points (95% confidence interval: 1.9 percentage points to 7.4 percentage points), approaching baseline values. Of the 18 patients, 17 (94%) were asymptomatic at all future visits. No deaths occurred in the group.Conclusions Many patients with mildly reduced lvef and minimal heart failure symptoms might be able to continue trastuzumab without further decline in lvef, adverse cardiac events, or death when treated under the supervision of a cardiologist with close follow-up.


Cardiology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 137 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesse A. Kane ◽  
Joseph K. Kim ◽  
Syed Abbas Haidry ◽  
Louis Salciccioli ◽  
Jason Lazar

Objectives: Patients with heart failure (HF) and reduced left-ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) benefit from angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) therapy. While dose reduction/discontinuation (r/d) of β-blockers (BB) and furosemide in acute decompensated HF (ADHF) worsen outcomes, data on ACEI/ARB are lacking. Methods: To determine the frequency and reasons for ACEI/ARB therapy r/d in ADHF patients, we studied 174 patients with LVEF <40% on ACEI/ARB and BB therapy upon admission over 1 year. Results: ACEI/ARB doses were r/d in 17.2% because of acute kidney injury (56.7%), hypotension (23.3%), and hyperkalemia (10%). Clinical characteristics were similar between patients with r/d and continued therapy. Admission and discharge creatinine (Cr) levels were higher in the r/d group. On multivariate analysis, admission Cr and admission systolic blood pressures were independent predictors of r/d. Among patients with renal dysfunction cited as the r/d reason, Cr did not significantly rise in 23.5%. The r/d group had a longer length of stay (LOS). Conclusions: ACEI/ARB dose is reduced and/or discontinued in nearly one-fifth of all ADHF admissions, and LOS is longer in the ACEI/ARB r/d group. While impaired renal function is the most frequently cited reason, nearly one-fourth of the patients had stable renal function. ACEI/ARB r/d therapy in the setting of ADHF merits further study.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document