Assessment of Anthracycline-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Breast Cancer Patients (Incidence, Risk Factors, and Prevention) (RS502) (RSPL2.1)

Abstract

Background: Anthracycline-based chemotherapy has played a significant role in the treatment of various breast cancer stages with reduced rates of both relapse and mortality. However their benefits have been limited due to their adverse events ranging from myelosuppression to well-established risk of cardiotoxicity. Aim: Investigate the correlation between incidence of cardiotoxicity and risk factors in breast cancer patients treated with Anthracyclines and outline current strategies for prevention of Anthracycline induced cardiotoxicity. Subjects and Method: 60 breast cancer patients, (stages II&IIIA), with age ranging from 30 to 65 years, newly diagnosed and scheduled for chemotherapy .Our study population were classified into group 1 (30 patients receiving Anthracycline-based chemotherapy) and group 2( 30 patients receiving Trastuzumab combined with anthracycline-based chemotherapy). Parameters to be measured: ejection fraction, blood pressure, body mass index, and baseline heart rate to record any case of Heart Failure (HF) following anthracyclines treatment. Results: The main comorbidities related to cardiotoxicity among study population were hypertension (44%), diabetes (31%), obesity (90%), and age above 55 years (48%). Baseline ejection fraction recorded for all patients ranges from (42% to 76%). (26 patients) had already diastolic dysfunction grade 1, but only (4 patients) had a substandard ejection fraction. (13 patients) had changes in chemotherapy regimen based on ejection fraction. Group (1) was associated with a HF incidence rate (6.7%) compared to group (2) having significantly increased HF incidence rate (20%). Conclusions: Group (2) had a significant increased incidence of cardiotoxicity. Our study,among previous studies, shed a light about routine echocardiography prior to anthracycline therapy and might eventually lead to current practice guidelines modifications.