Anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy: clinical relevance and response to pharmacologic therapy

J Am Coll Cardiol. 2010 Jan 19;55(3):213-20. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2009.03.095.

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical relevance of anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy (AC-CMP) and its response to heart failure (HF) therapy.

Background: The natural history of AC-CMP, as well as its response to modern HF therapy, remains poorly defined. Hence, evidence-based recommendations for management of this form of cardiomyopathy are still lacking.

Methods: We included in the study 201 consecutive patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <or=45% due to AC-CMP. Enalapril and, when possible, carvedilol were promptly initiated after detection of LVEF impairment. LVEF was measured at enrollment, every month for the first 3 months, every 3 months during the first 2 following years, and every 6 months afterward (mean follow-up 36 +/- 27 months). Patients were considered responders, partial responders, or nonresponders according to complete, partial, or no recovery in LVEF, respectively. Major adverse cardiac events during follow-up were also evaluated.

Results: Eighty-five patients (42%) were responders; 26 patients (13%) were partial responders, and 90 patients (45%) were nonresponders. The percentage of responders progressively decreased as the time from the end of chemotherapy to the start of HF treatment increased; no complete recovery of LVEF was observed after 6 months. Responders showed a lower rate of cumulative cardiac events than partial and nonresponders (5%, 31%, and 29%, respectively; p < 0.001).

Conclusions: In cancer patients developing AC-CMP, LVEF recovery and cardiac event reduction may be achieved when cardiac dysfunction is detected early and a modern HF treatment is promptly initiated.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Anthracyclines / adverse effects*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Carbazoles / therapeutic use
  • Carvedilol
  • Cohort Studies
  • Enalapril / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Heart Failure / chemically induced*
  • Heart Failure / drug therapy*
  • Heart Failure / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Propanolamines / therapeutic use
  • Recovery of Function
  • Stroke Volume
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Anthracyclines
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Carbazoles
  • Propanolamines
  • Carvedilol
  • Enalapril