title: Gated blood pool scintigraphic monitoring of doxorubicin cardiomyopathy: comparison of camera and computerized probe results in 101 patients.
abstract: Serial gated blood pool scintigraphic monitoring of cardiac function with both a nonimaging scintillation probe and a conventional gamma camera-computer imaging system was performed in 101 patients receiving doxorubicin hydrochloride (Adriamycin) chemotherapy. Comparison of probe- and camera-derived ejection fractions (n = 287) correlated significantly (r = 0.70, p less than 0.005) as did the interstudy (n = 183) change in ejection fraction (r = 0.76, p greater than 0.005). Significant discordance in probe- and camera-derived ejection fraction change occurred in 3 (1.6%) of 183 interstudy intervals. Average intrastudy variability of absolute probe-derived ejection fraction was 2.9%. This variability was unrelated to the level of cardiac function. Thirteen patients (13%) developed clinical cardiotoxicity, including four at cumulative Adriamycin levels less than 450 mg/m2. Mean absolute camera ejection fraction decline for these patients was 21% from baseline evaluation, and mean absolute probe ejection fraction decline was 22%. The minimal absolute ejection fraction decline was 11% for patients with clinical congestive heart failure. Eight asymptomatic patients had therapy terminated before the development of clinical cardiotoxicity after a mean decline in absolute camera ejection fraction of 19 +/- 4% (SD) and in probe ejection fraction of 19 +/- 9% into abnormal ranges (a decline in magnitude equivalent to that in patients developing congestive failure). None of these five asymptomatic patients available for clinical follow-up at 6 months after termination of Adriamycin therapy subsequently developed signs of ventricular dysfunction. The majority of patients (83%) studied at 450 mg/m2 cumulative dose levels did not have a 15% or greater decline from baseline into the abnormal range.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D004317:Doxorubicin