[Cardioprotection in chemo- and radiotherapy for malignant diseases--an echocardiographic pilot study].
OBJECTIVE
Pilot study, examining the cardioprotective effect of an antioxidant regimen in patients with malignancies receiving high dose chemo- or radiotherapy.


METHODS
14 patients with chemotherapy and 10 patients with radiotherapy were randomized in a double-blind fashion (placebo versus vitamin E and C and N-acetylcysteine). Systolic and diastolic echocardiographic parameters were determined before and within three weeks of treatment completion.


RESULTS
Left ventricular ejection fraction fell significantly in patients receiving placebo (radiotherapy: 67 +/- 6 to 56 +/- 2%, p = 0.008, chemotherapy: 67 +/- 7 to 60 +/- 8%, p = 0.05). Patients on antioxidants showed no significant fall in EF (radiotherapy: 63 +/- 8 to 61 +/- 7%, chemotherapy: 67 +/- 5 to 64 +/- 6%).


CONCLUSIONS
The small number of patients in the study precludes a definitive statement. The preliminary results, however, suggest efficient cardioprotection by this cheap and safe antioxidant combination, so that larger studies are warranted for confirmation.
D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000633:toxicity*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000975:Antioxidants; D014810:Vitamin E; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D000111:Acetylcysteine
Kardioprotektion bei Chemo- und Radiotherapie für maligne Erkrankungen--eine echokardiographische Pilotstudie.