Repetitive dobutamine stress echocardiography for the prediction of anthracycline cardiotoxicity.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether repetitive assessment of systolic and diastolic cardiac function by dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) can predict anthracycline cardiotoxicity.


RESULTS
Thirty-one patients (age, 57+/-13 years, 22 male) were studied before chemotherapy, with follow-ups during, at the end, and 6 months after chemotherapy. Left ventricular (LV) function was assessed by two-dimensional (2D) echocardiographic wall motion score index (WMSI) and by Doppler echocardiography of mitral valve inflow at rest and during DSE. Radionuclide ventriculography was used as an independent reference for ejection fraction (EF). A reduction of EF >/=5% occurred in 17 patients (group A) at the last follow-up. Patients without decreased EF comprised group B. Early/late diastolic velocity of mitral inflow (E/A ratio) at rest was lower in group A (0.91+/-0.2 vs 1.28+/-0.3, P<0.001), and it was an independent predictor of cardiotoxicity (adjusted for baseline patient characteristics and parameters of systolic and diastolic function). At follow-up, WMSI at rest paralleled radionuclide EF. Contractile reserve at low-dose DSE was preserved in group A.


CONCLUSIONS
WMSI measured by 2D echocardiography parallels radionuclide EF at follow-up. Assessment of contractile reserve has no incremental value for the early detection of cardiotoxicity. A baseline abnormal E/A ratio is an independent predictor of anthracycline cardiotoxicity.
Bountioukos
M
M
Thoraxcenter, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus MC, Dr Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Doorduijn
J K
JK
Roelandt
J R T C
JR
Vourvouri
E C
EC
Bax
J J
JJ
Schinkel
A F L
AF
Kertai
M D
MD
Sonneveld
P
P
Poldermans
D
D
D018943:Anthracyclines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018619:Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed; D025401:Echocardiography, Stress; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D015635:Radionuclide Ventriculography; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000187:drug effects
D018943:Anthracyclines; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents