Detection of the Early Cardiotoxic Effects of Doxorubicin-Containing Chemotherapy Regimens in Patients With Breast Cancer Through Novel Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Short-Term Follow-Up Publisher



Safaei AM¹ ; Kamangar TM¹ ; Asadian S² ; Rezaeian N² ; Esmati E¹ ; Kolahdouzan K¹ ; Hosseini L² ; Lashkari M¹ ; Jafari F¹ ; Hashemi FA¹
Source: Journal of Clinical Imaging Science Published:2021

Abstract

Objectives: Many patients with breast cancer (BC) require cardiotoxic anthracycline-based chemotherapy. We intended to assess the early cardiotoxic effects of doxorubicin utilizing cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. Material and Methods: Forty-nine patients including 21 otherwise healthy females with BC at a mean age (±SD) of 47.62 ± 9.07 years and 28 normal controls at a mean age (±SD) of 45.18 ± 4.29 years were recruited. They underwent CMR and transthoracic echocardiography at baseline and 7 days after four biweekly cycles of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide. Biventricular functional, volumetric, global strain, and tissue characterization findings were analyzed and compared with those of 28 controls. Results: In post-chemotherapy CMR, 4 patients (19.04%), three symptomatic and one asymptomatic, exhibited evidence of doxorubicin cardiotoxicity. Significant differences in biventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular end-systolic volume index, and all 3D global strain values were noted after chemotherapy in comparison with the baseline (all P < 0.05). More than half of the study population showed a significant change in all right ventricular global strain values. One patient (4.76%) exhibited evidence of diffuse myocardial edema in post-chemotherapy CMR, and 3 patients (14.28%) showed myocardial fibrosis. The study participants were clinically followed up for 4-10 months (mean = 7 months). Overall, 8 patients (38.09%) complained of dyspnea on exertion and fatigue on follow-up. None of the CMR markers was associated with the development of symptoms. Conclusion: Our investigation revealed striking changes in CMR parameters in the follow-up of BC patients treated with cardiotoxic chemotherapy. These exclusive CMR features assist in the early initiation of preventive cardiac strategies. © 2021 Published by Scientific Scholar on behalf of Journal of Clinical Imaging Science