BackgroundAtrial electromechanical delay (EMD) is used to predict atrial fibrillation,
measured by echocardiography.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess atrial EMD and mechanical function after
anthracycline-containing chemotherapy.MethodsFifty-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.ResultsLeft 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.ConclusionsIn 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.
The significantly impaired SBPR and decreased HRR values we observed in patients with IH may indicate that the autonomic dysfunction in IH is a systemic disorder with cardiovascular effects, rather than a merely local disease. Both HRR and SBPR values may provide additional information about predicting adverse cardiovascular events in the future even in apparently healthy young patients with IH.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.