Very early detection of low dose anti-cancer therapy-related cardiotoxicity in lymphoma patients

Abstract

Abstract Background and purpose Left ventricular (LV) global peak systolic longitudinal strain (GLS) by speckle-tracking echocardiography is a sensitive modality for the detection of subclinical LV systolic dysfunction and a powerful prognostic predictor. However, the clinical implication of LV GLS in lymphoma patients receiving anti-cancer therapy remains unknown. Methods We prospectively enrolled 74 patients (57.9±17.0 years old, 57% male) with lymphoma who underwent echocardiography prior to chemotherapy, post 3rd and 6th cycle and 1 year after chemotherapy. Cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) is defined as the reduction of absolute GLS value from baseline of ≥15%. All the eligible patients underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) upon completion of 3 cycles of anti-cancer therapy. The primary outcome was defined as a composite of all-cause mortality and heart failure events. Results Among 36 (49%) patients with CTRCD, LV GLS was significantly decreased after the 3rd cycle of chemotherapy (20.1±2.6% vs. 17.5±2.3%, p<0.001). In the multivariable analysis, male sex and anemia (hemoglobin <11 g/dL) were found to be independent risk factors of CTRCD. Objectively, patients with CTRCD had lower minute oxygen consumption/kg (VO2/kg) and lower VO2/kg value at anaerobic threshold in the CPET. The incidence of the primary composite outcome was higher in the CTRCD group than in the non-CTRCD group (hazard ratio 3.21; 95% CI, 1.04–9.97; p=0.03). Conclusion LV GLS is capable of detecting early cardiac dysfunction in lymphoma patients receiving anti-cancer therapy. Patients with CTRCD not only had a reduced exercise capacity but also a higher risk of all-cause mortality and heart failure events. Change of LVEF and GLS after cancer Tx Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): The Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), Taiwan