Chemotherapy-induced cardiac toxicity and management

摘要

Cardiac toxicity due to anti-neoplastic agents has been recognized since doxorubicin, one of the most effective anthracyclines, was introduced in the early 1970s. Although the frequency of cardiac toxicity is relatively low compared with hematological and gastrointestinal toxicity, management of cardiac toxicity is crucial because of the possibility of irreversible cardiac damage. Recently, high dose-intense chemotherapy with G-CSF and stem cell transplantation, and mediastinal irradiation, produce even more toxic effects on the heart. This review describes some of the cardiac toxicity of anthracyclines and trastuzumab, and discusses attempts at management. The mainstay of management of cardiac toxicity is serial, adequate monitoring of cardiac functions.