Left and right ventricular effects of anthracycline and trastuzumab chemotherapy: A prospective study using novel cardiac imaging and biochemical markers

摘要

Prolongation of survival resulting from cancer treatment has resulted in cardiac toxicity becoming the main determinant of quality of life, and in some cases, premature mortality. The prediction of cardiotoxicity (CTX) in this setting is highly desirable so that alternative treatment strategies can be explored and/or potentially preventative manoeuvres (such as ACE inhibition) can be instituted. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) offers the ability to non-invasively evaluate cardiac structure and function with unrivalled precision. It remains the gold standard for accurate and reproducible assessment of left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) volumes and functions. Furthermore, CMR tissue characterization with myocardial oedema imaging allows detection of reversible myocardial injury, whilst late gadolinium enhancement imaging can detect myocardial scar and irreversible myocardial injury.