Anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy.
Anthracyclines are potent chemotherapeutic agents associated with 3 different forms of cardiomyopathy. Acute cardiomyopathy is seen within 3 months of drug exposure and may take the form of either a reversible myocarditis and pericarditis or an early-onset type and a late-onset type of chronic cardiomyopathy. Chronic anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy is treated similarly to ischemic cardiomyopathies with beta-blockade and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition. This review focuses on recent research regarding mechanisms of anthracycline-induced myocardial damage, the noninvasive imaging diagnosis of anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy, and potential areas of future research regarding genetic screening and selecting individuals at increased risk, with consideration of prophylactic treatment with medications, specifically carvedilol and ACE inhibitors.
Simmons
Ashley
A
Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.
Vacek
James L
JL
Meyers
David
D
D018943:Anthracyclines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans
D018943:Anthracyclines; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents