Atrial Function in Patients with Breast Cancer After Treatment with Anthracyclines

Arq Bras Cardiol. 2016 Nov;107(5):411-419. doi: 10.5935/abc.20160146. Epub 2016 Oct 27.
[Article in English, Portuguese]

Abstract

Background:: Atrial electromechanical delay (EMD) is used to predict atrial fibrillation, measured by echocardiography.

Objectives:: The aim of this study was to assess atrial EMD and mechanical function after anthracycline-containing chemotherapy.

Methods:: Fifty-three patients with breast cancer (48 ± 8 years old) who received 240 mg/m2of Adriamycin, 2400 mg/m2 of cyclophosphamide, and 960 mg/m2 of paclitaxel were included in this retrospective study, as were 42 healthy subjects (47 ± 9 years old). Echocardiographic measurements were performed 11 ± 7 months (median 9 months) after treatment with anthracyclines.

Results:: Left intra-atrial EMD (11.4 ± 6.0 vs. 8.1 ± 4.9, p=0.008) and inter-atrial EMD (19.7 ± 7.4 vs. 14.7 ± 6.5, p=0.001) were prolonged; LA passive emptying volume and fraction were decreased (p=0.0001 and p=0.0001); LA active emptying volume and fraction were increased (p=0.0001 and p=0.0001); Mitral A velocity (0.8 ± 0.2 vs. 0.6 ± 0.2, p=0.0001) and mitral E-wave deceleration time (201.2 ± 35.6 vs. 163.7 ± 21.8, p=0.0001) were increased; Mitral E/A ratio (1.0 ± 0.3 vs. 1.3 ± 0.3, p=0.0001) and mitral Em (0.09 ± 0.03 vs. 0.11 ± 0.03, p=0.001) were decreased; Mitral Am (0.11 ± 0.02 vs. 0.09 ± 0.02, p=0.0001) and mitral E/Em ratio (8.8 ± 3.2 vs. 7.6 ± 2.6, p=0.017) were increased in the patients.

Conclusions:: In patients with breast cancer after anthracycline therapy: Left intra-atrial, inter-atrial electromechanical intervals were prolonged. Diastolic function was impaired. Impaired left ventricular relaxation and left atrial electrical conduction could be contributing to the development of atrial arrhythmias.

Fundamento:: Atraso eletromecânico atrial (AEA) é utilizado para prever fibrilação atrial, medido pela ecocardiografia.

Objetivos:: O propósito deste estudo era verificar o AEA e a função mecânica após quimioterapia com antraciclinas.

Métodos:: Cinquenta e três pacientes com câncer de mama (48 ± 8 anos) que receberam 240 mg/m2 de adriamicina, 2400 mg/m2 de ciclofosfamida, e 960 mg/m2 de paclitaxel foram incluídas neste estudo retrospectivo, além de 42 indivíduos saudáveis (47 ± 9 anos). Medidas ecocardiográficas foram realizadas por aproximadamente 11 ± 7 meses (média de 9 meses) após tratamento com antraciclinas.

Resultados:: AEA esquerdo intra-atrial (11,4 ± 6,0 vs. 8,1 ± 4,9, p=0,008) e AEA interarterial (19,7 ± 7,4 vs. 14,7 ± 6,5, p=0,001) foram prolongados; Volume de esvaziamento passivo e fracionamento de AE diminuíram (p=0,0001 e p=0,0001); Volume de esvaziamento ativo e fracionamento de AE (p=0,0001 e p=0,0001); Tempo de aceleração mitral A (0,8 ± 0,2 vs. 0,6 ± 0,2, p=0,0001) e de desaceleração de onda-E mitral (201,2 ± 35,6 vs. 163,7 ± 21,8, p=0,0001) aumentarão; Razão mitral E/A (1,0 ± 0,3 vs. 1,3 ± 0,3, p=0,0001) e mitral Em (0,09 ± 0,03 vs. 0,11 ± 0,03, p=0,001) diminuíram; Razão mitral Am (0,11 ± 0,02 vs. 0,09 ± 0,02, p=0,0001) e mitral E/Em (8,8 ± 3,2 vs. 7,6 ± 2,6, p=0,017) aumentaram nos pacientes.

Conclusões:: Em pacientes com câncer de mama após terapia com antraciclina: intervalos eletromecânicos intra-atriais esquerdos, intra-atriais foram prolongados. A função diastólica foi prejudicada. O relaxamento ventricular esquerdo foi prejudicado, e a condução elétrica atrial esquerda pode estar contribuindo para o desenvolvimento de arritmias atriais.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anthracyclines / adverse effects*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects*
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / etiology*
  • Atrial Fibrillation / etiology
  • Atrial Fibrillation / physiopathology
  • Blood Pressure / physiology
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Cyclophosphamide / adverse effects
  • Diastole
  • Doxorubicin / administration & dosage
  • Doxorubicin / adverse effects
  • Echocardiography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Paclitaxel / administration & dosage
  • Paclitaxel / adverse effects
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Systole
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / physiopathology
  • Ventricular Function, Left / physiology*

Substances

  • Anthracyclines
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Paclitaxel