Introduction: Anthracyclines (ANT) are a widely used group of drugs, but their use is limited by their cardiotoxic effects. Detection of early effects of ANT and prediction of future occurrence of cardiotoxicity have been always endeavored. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is the most widely used parameter to monitor cardiotoxicity, but reduction of LVEF occurs relatively late. Speckle tracking echocardiography is a relatively new modality to detect subclinical myocardial affection following ANT administration. Assessment of subclinical chemotherapy related cardiac dysfunction could allow early introduction of medical therapies, reduction of ANT doses, finding new alternatives and close follow-up which eventually prevents further deterioration of cardiac function and development of heart failure.
Aim: The aim of the study was to detect early effects of ANT-containing chemotherapy using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D STE).
Patients and methods: The study was conducted on 100 patients receiving ANT-containing chemotherapy for the first time. Exclusion criteria were preexisting heart disease (ischemic heart disease, complete bundle branch block, more than mild valvular heart disease, arrhythmias, heart failure, prosthetic valves and pacemakers), concomitant use of cardiotoxic drugs as trastuzumab in patients with breast cancer, previous cardiotoxic chemotherapy administration and previous or concomitant radiotherapy.