Physical performance in long-term survivors of acute leukaemia in childhood.
The aim of this study was to assess the physical performance in long-term survivors of acute leukaemia in childhood and to evaluate the effects of anthracycline therapy. Electrocardiography, echocardiography and spiroergometry were carried out on 56 patients aged 9-28 years, of whom 44 patients had been treated with 15-483 mg/m2 doxorubicin (or equivalent). Acute leukaemia had been diagnosed 1.5-16 years earlier. Of the patients 75% reached normal maximal oxygen uptake, 69% normal oxygen uptake at the anaerobic threshold and 95% normal maximal work rate. Of the patients 75% achieved adequate values for maximal heart rate and 78% normal blood lactate concentration. No difference was seen between patients treated with and without anthracyclines.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study provide little evidence for cardiopulmonary impairment in long-term survivors of ALL. Both the cardiac function, as evaluated by ECG and echocardiography, and the physical performance in spiroergometry are normal in a large number of these patients. Anthracycline treatment does not appear to have a negative effect on these parameters.
Black
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P
Department of Paediatrics, University Hospital, Mainz, Germany.
Gutjahr
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P
Stopfkuchen
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H
D000293:Adolescent; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003630:Daunorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D013147:Spirometry; D013997:Time Factors
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003630:Daunorubicin