title: Increased arterial stiffness in children treated with anthracyclines for malignant disease.
abstract: Survivors of childhood cancer have a significantly higher late morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to determine whether anthracyclines used in childhood could increase arterial stiffness, a well-known independent predictor of cardiovascular diseases. The study included 53 children and adolescents aged 6-20 years having completed anthracycline treatment for a malignant disease according to various protocols at least a year before. The patients were free from clinical or laboratory signs of the underlying disease or cardiac disease. Control group consisted of 45 age- and sex-matched healthy children. Arterial stiffness was determined by measuring aortic pulse wave velocity (PWVao) using oscillometric method (Arteriograph TensioMed device). PWVao value was significantly increased (6.24 +/- 1.34 m/s vs. 5.42 +/- 0.69 m/s; p < 0.001) in patients having received anthracyclines as compared to control group. Increased arterial stiffness was present irrespective of the following parameters: age, sex, body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure and heart rate. It is possible that the effect of anthracycline on increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in long-term childhood cancer survivors is associated not only with cardiotoxicity, but also with increased arterial stiffness.
authors.affiliation: University of Zagreb, "Sestre milosrdnice" University Hospital Center, Zagreb Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Cardiology Unit, Zagreb, Croatia. vherceg@gmail.com
authors.forename: Vesna
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Herceg-Cavrak
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ahel
authors.forename: Maja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Batinica
authors.forename: Lana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Matec
authors.forename: Danijel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kardos
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D018943:Anthracyclines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018943:Anthracyclines; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents