Anthracycline-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Adults.

Publication/Presentation Date

7-1-2015

Abstract

Anthracyclines are one of the most commonly used antineoplastic agent classes, and a core part of the treatment in breast cancers, hematological malignancies, and sarcomas. Their benefit is decreased by their well-recognized cardiotoxicity. The purpose of this review is to outline the presentation, mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment of anthracyclines-induced cardiotoxicity. Symptomatic heart failure occurs in 2% to 5% of patients treated with anthrayclines and may be higher in older patients or patients with cardiovascular risk factors. The mechanisms involved in anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity involve myocyte loss by apoptosis in the presence of a limited regenerative capacity. Once symptomatic, anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity is associated with markedly decreased survival. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), mostly determined using echocardiography, is used to monitor patients treated with anthracyclines. As more than 1/3 of patients treated with anthracyclines do not recover their baseline LVEF once it is decreased, more sensitive echocardiographic indices of LV function such as myocardial deformation or biomarkers have been studied in patients monitoring. Cardioprotective treatments such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, beta-blockers, iron chelators, statins, and metformin are also the topic of research efforts.

Volume

5

Issue

3

First Page

1517

Last Page

1540

ISSN

2040-4603

Disciplines

Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

PubMedID

26140726

Department(s)

Administration and Leadership

Document Type

Article

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