Subclinical Cardiotoxicity: The Emerging Role of Myocardial Work and Other Imaging Techniques

Assessment of cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction in breast cancer women using a new speckle tracking echocardiography index: The GAVS

BACKGROUND

Recently, peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) has emerged as a possible predictor of Cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) in cancer patients (CP), in addition to left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS). Thus, considering the link between left atrium and left ventricle, the aim of this study was to assess the global atrio-ventricular strain (GAVS) in CP, to detect early cardiotoxicity.

METHODS

A prospective study was carried out enrolling 131 breast cancer women (mean age 51.4 ± 10.4 years) receiving anti-cancer treatment. Clinical and echocardiographic evaluation was performed at baseline (T0), 3 (T1), 6 (T2) and 12 months (T3) after starting treatment. CTRCD was defined according to the 2022 ESC Cardio-Oncology guidelines.

RESULTS

Forty-four patients developed CTRCD (3 moderate and 41 mild CTRCD group A) and 87 patients did not (group B). In group A, significant changes in GLS, PALS, GAVS, LASi (left atrial stiffness index) and LVEF/GLS occurred earlier than LVEF, that reduced significantly only at T3 (p-value < .05). Significant changes in LASi, PALS and GAVS occurred even in group B but reduction in GAVS (-21% vs. -5%) and PALS (-24% vs. -12%) was significantly greater in group A compared to group B (p-value = .04).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study confirms high sensitivity of speckle tracking echocardiography in detecting subclinical myocardial damage in CP and the usefulness of a multiparametric echocardiographic evaluation including PALS and GLS (GAVS) for having a global evaluation of the phenomenon cardiotoxicity.

Chemotherapy Related Cardiotoxicity Evaluation-A Contemporary Review with a Focus on Cardiac Imaging

The long-term survivorship of patients diagnosed with cancer has improved due to accelerated detection and rapidly evolving cancer treatment strategies. As such, the evaluation and management of cancer therapy related complications has become increasingly important, including cardiovascular complications. These have been captured under the umbrella term "cardiotoxicity" and include left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure, acute coronary syndromes, valvular abnormalities, pericardial disease, arrhythmia, myocarditis, and vascular complications. These complications add to the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) or are risk factors patients with cancer treatment are presenting with. Of note, both pre- and newly developing CVD is of prognostic significance, not only from a cardiovascular perspective but also overall, potentially impacting the level of cancer therapy that is possible. Currently, there are varying recommendations and practices regarding CVD risk assessment and mitigating strategies throughout the cancer continuum. This article provides an overview on this topic, in particular, the role of cardiac imaging in the care of the patient with cancer. Furthermore, it summarizes the current evidence on the spectrum, prevention, and management of chemotherapy-related adverse cardiac effects.

Applied Cardio-Oncology in Hematological Malignancies: A Narrative Review

Applied cardio-oncology in hematological malignancies refers to the integration of cardiovascular care and management for patients with blood cancer, particularly leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. Hematological cancer therapy-related cardiotoxicity deals with the most common cardiovascular complications of conventional chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell and tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapies, bispecific antibodies, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. This narrative review focuses on hematological cancer-therapy-related cardiotoxicity's definition, risk stratification, multimodality imaging, and use of cardiac biomarkers to detect clinical and/or subclinical myocardial dysfunction and electrical instability. Moreover, the most common cardiotoxic profiles of the main drugs and/or therapeutic interventions in patients with hematological malignancies are described thoroughly.

Right ventricle involvement in patients with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Anthracyclines can cause left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. There is little data about right ventricular (RV) damage during chemotherapy.

AIM

This study aimed to investigate the toxic effects of chemotherapy, analyzing its impact on right ventricular function.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A prospective study was conducted, enrolling 83 female patients (55 ± 11 years old) affected by breast cancer treated with anthracyclines. Cardiological evaluation, HFA risk score assessment and comprehensive echocardiogram, including speckle tracking analysis and 3D analysis, were performed before starting chemotherapy (T0) and at 3 (T1), 6 (T2) and 12 months (T3) after beginning treatment. RV function was assessed with tricuspid annular plane excursion (TAPSE), S' wave of the tricuspid annulus, fractional area change (FAC), RV global longitudinal strain (RV-GLS), free wall strain (RV-FWLS) and RV 3D ejection fraction (RV-3DEF). Subclinical LV CTRCD was defined as a reduction of GLS > 15% compared to baseline. Subclinical RV cardiotoxicity was defined as the co-presence of a relative decrease of 10% from baseline in RV-3DEF and a relative reduction of 15% from baseline RV-FWLS.

RESULTS

After chemotherapy, we found a significant reduction in 2D-LVEF (p =  < 0.001) and 3D-LVEF (p =  < 0.001), in LV-GLS and RVLS (p =  < 0.001), in FAC and TAPSE, also RV-3DEF reduced significantly (p = 0.002). 39% of patients developed LV subclinical CTRCD; 28% of patients developed RV subclinical cardiotoxicity. LV and RV changes occurred concomitantly, and no RV echocardiographic parameters were found to predict the development of LV CTRCD and vice-versa.

CONCLUSION

After anthracyclines-based chemotherapy, LV and RV subclinical damage occurs, and it can be detected early by speckle-tracking and 3D echocardiography.

Early Impact of Mobilization Process on Cardiac Function and Size in Patients Undergoing Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Background: The hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) process is known to cause cardiac toxicity of different grades. In this paper, we aimed to evaluate the impact of mobilization procedure of hematopoietic stem cells for autologous HSCT process for left and right ventricle sizes and functions. Material and Methods: The data of 47 patients undergoing autologous HSCT were analyzed. All patients underwent hematopoietic stem cell mobilization with chemotherapy and filgrastim at 10 µg/kg/d. Echocardiography was performed two times: before enrolling in the transplantation process and after mobilization before the conditioning regimen for transplantation. Changes in left and right ventricle (RV) diameter and systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle and systolic function of the RV were measured. Results: A statistically significant difference was observed in the change of right ventricular function (S')-it slightly decreased. Mean S' before mobilization was 13.93 ± 2.85 cm/s, and after mobilization it was 12.19 ± 2.64 cm/s (p = 0.003). No statistically significant change in left ventricular diameter and systolic and diastolic function and RV diameter was observed. Conclusions: The mobilization procedure in patients undergoing autologous HSCT is associated with reduced RV systolic function. S' could be used as a reliable tool to evaluate early cardiotoxicity in HSCT patients and guide further follow-up.

Ivabradine for the Prevention of Anthracycline-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Female Patients with Primarily Breast Cancer: A Prospective, Randomized, Open-Label Clinical Trial

Background and Objectives: Cancer therapy containing anthracyclines is associated with cancer-treatment-related cardiac dysfunction and heart failure (HF). Conventional cardioprotective medications can be frequently complicated by their blood-pressure-lowering effect. Recently, elevated resting heart rate was shown to independently predict mortality in patients with cancer. As a heart rate-lowering drug without affecting blood pressure, ivabradine could present an alternative management of anthracyclines-induced cardiotoxicity. Materials and Methods: This study aimed to investigate the probable protective effects of ivabradine in cancer patients with elevated heart rate (>75 beats per minute) undergoing anthracycline chemotherapy. Patients referred by oncologists for baseline cardiovascular risk stratification before anthracycline chemotherapy who met the inclusion criteria and had no exclusion criteria were randomly assigned to one of two strategies: ivabradine 5 mg twice a day (intervention group) or controls. Electrocardiogram, transthoracic echocardiogram with global longitudinal strain (GLS), troponin I (Tn I), and N-terminal natriuretic pro-peptide (NT-proBNP) were performed at baseline, after two and four cycles of chemotherapy and at six months of follow-up. The primary endpoint was the prevention of a >15% reduction in GLS. Secondary endpoints were effects of ivabradine on Tn I, NT-proBNP, left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic dysfunction, right ventricle dysfunction, and myocardial work indices. Results: A total of 48 patients were enrolled in the study; 21 were randomly assigned to the ivabradine group and 27 to the control group. Reduced GLS was detected 2.9 times less often in patients receiving ivabradine than in the control group, but this change was non-significant (OR [95% CI] = 2.9 [0.544, 16.274], p = 0.208). The incidence of troponin I elevation was four times higher in the control group (OR [95% CI] = 4.0 [1.136, 14.085], p = 0.031). There was no significant change in NT-proBNP between groups, but the increase in NT-proBNP was almost 12% higher in the control group (OR [95% CI] = 1.117 [0.347, 3.594], p = 0.853). LV diastolic dysfunction was found 2.7 times more frequently in the controls (OR [95% CI] = 2.71 [0.49, 15.10], p = 0.254). Patients in the ivabradine group were less likely to be diagnosed with mild asymptomatic CTRCD during the study (p = 0.045). No differences in right ventricle function were noted. A significant difference was found between the groups in global constructive work and global work index at six months in favour of the ivabradine group (p = 0.014 and p = 0.025). Ivabradine had no adverse effects on intracardiac conduction, ventricular repolarization, or blood pressure. However, visual side effects (phosphenes) were reported in 14.3% of patients. Conclusions: Ivabradine is a safe, well-tolerated drug that has shown possible cardioprotective properties reducing the incidence of mild asymptomatic cancer-therapy-induced cardiac dysfunction, characterised by a new rise in troponin concentrations and diminished myocardial performance in anthracycline-treated women with breast cancer and increased heart rate. However, more extensive multicentre trials are needed to provide more robust evidence.

Atrial Strain Assessment for the Early Detection of Cancer Therapy-Related Cardiac Dysfunction in Breast Cancer Women (The STRANO STUDY: Atrial Strain in Cardio-Oncology)

Left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) has an important role in the diagnosis of cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD). Little is known about the role of atrial function in diagnosing CTRCD. The aim of our study was to assess the impact of anti-cancer drugs on atrial function measured by speckle-tracking echocardiography in breast cancer women. A prospective multicenter study was conducted enrolling 169 breast cancer women treated with anthracyclines. A cardiological evaluation including an electrocardiogram and echocardiogram with an analysis of GLS, left atrial (LA) strain, and LA stiffness (LASi) was performed at baseline (T0), 3 (T1), and 6 months (T2) after starting chemotherapy. The patients were divided into two groups: patients with asymptomatic mild cardiotoxicity at T1 (with a relative reduction in GLS > 15%; Group 1) and those without (Group 2). We did not find a significant change in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at T1 and T2; we found a significant change in GLS (p-value < 0.0001) in the peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS) and in LASi (p-value < 0.0001). Impairment of atrial function was greater in Group 1 compared to Group 2. A PALS variation > 20.8% identified patients who were most likely to develop asymptomatic mild cardiotoxicity [AUC 0.62; CI (0.51-0.73) p = 0.06, sensitivity 45%, specificity 69.5%]. Conclusions: PALS and LASi significantly change during chemotherapy in association with GLS. Atrial strain is an additional parameter that could be measured together with GLS to detect cardiotoxicity early.

Chemotherapy-related cardiac dysfunction: the usefulness of myocardial work indices

AIMS

The role of left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) in the diagnosis of subclinical cardiac damage induced by anticancer drugs is now consolidated. Considering some strain disadvantages such as the dependence on the haemodynamic loading conditions, the aim of our study was to investigate the usefulness of non-invasive myocardial work indices (MWI) derived from pressure-strain analysis, in the early diagnosis of cardiotoxicity.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We enrolled 61 consecutive patients with breast cancer undergoing adjuvant treatment with anthracycline-containing chemotherapy followed by taxane + trastuzumab. Patients underwent a cardiological evaluation with 2D echocardiography including measurement of the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and other conventional parameters of systolic and diastolic function, GLS and MWI at baseline (T0), 3 months (T1) and 6 months (T2) after starting chemotherapy. At T1 and T2, we did not find a significant reduction in LVEF but we found a significant reduction in GLS and MWI (p value < 0.05). In addition, at T2, 31% of patients developed subclinical cardiac dysfunction defined as a relative decrease ≥ 12% of GLS from baseline. Global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW) and global work efficiency (GWE) decreased significantly in both patients with subclinical dysfunction and in those without subclinical dysfunction (p value < 0.05). Patients with subclinical dysfunction at T2 showed lower values of GCW at T0.

CONCLUSION

MWI changed significantly during chemotherapy and appeared to alter precociously compared to GLS. Therefore, a multiparametric approach including left ventricular GLS and MWI measurements should be used in the evaluation of patients undergoing cardiotoxic antineoplastic treatment.

Impact of echocardiographic analyses of valvular event timing on myocardial work indices

AIMS

Valvular event timing is an integral part of echocardiographic pressure-strain loop (PSL) analyses. The impact that different event timing modalities may have on myocardial work indices is unknown.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A methodological study was performed on 200 subjects, including 50 healthy subjects, 50 with aortic valve sclerosis, 50 with atrial fibrillation, and 50 with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. Valvular event timing was estimated by visual assessment, spectral Doppler, and colour tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) M-mode. These valvular event timings were added to the same PSL analyses sequentially to acquire myocardial work indices, including global work index (GWI). For the 200 participants, the median age was 72 years, 50% were men, and mean blood pressure was 143/80 mmHg. Valvular event timings differed between all three modalities and so did all myocardial work indices. Compared with visual assessment, spectral Doppler resulted in a significantly higher GWI (mean difference: 114 ± 93 mmHg%, P < 0.001), and so did TDI (mean difference: 83 ± 90 mmHg%, P < 0.001). A higher GWI by spectral Doppler than by TDI was also observed (mean difference: 30 ± 53 mmHg%, P < 0.001). In the healthy subgroup, a systematic bias was observed for spectral Doppler compared with visual assessment (mean difference: 160 ± 77 mmHg%, P < 0.001), and a similar trend was noted for TDI vs. visual assessment (mean difference: 124 ± 74 mmHg%, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Myocardial work indices differ depending on the event timing modality used, with visual assessment yielding lower GWI values compared with Doppler-based methods. Serial PSL analyses should apply the same event timing method.

Myocardial Work in Echocardiography

Myocardial work is an emerging tool in echocardiography that incorporates left ventricular afterload into global longitudinal strain analysis. Myocardial work correlates with myocardial oxygen consumption, and work efficiency can also be assessed. Myocardial work has been evaluated in a variety of clinical conditions to assess the added value of myocardial work compared to left ventricular ejection fraction and global longitudinal strain. This review showcases the current use of myocardial work in adult echocardiography and its possible role in cardiac pathologies.

Higher Incidence of Cancer Therapy-Related Cardiac Dysfunction in the COVID-19 Era: A Single Cardio-Oncology Center Experience

AIM

COVID-19 pandemic had a big impact on our life, it has revolutionized the practice of cardiology and the organization of hospital and outpatient activities. Thus the aim of our study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the development of cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD).

METHODS AND RESULTS

A single center retrospective study was carried out evaluating 96 cancer patients treated with anthracyclines and admitted to our Cardio-Oncology unit from June to August 2019 and 60 patients from June to August 2021. The incidence of CTRCD was assessed performing an echocardiogram at the time of the enrollment. We found a significantly higher incidence of CTRCD in the second period compared to first period (13% vs. 2%, p value 0.0058). In addition we found that fewer yearly visits were performed in our Cardio-oncology unit in 2021 compared to 2019 (300 patients/year in 2019 vs. 144 patients/year in the COVID era).

CONCLUSION

COVID-19 pandemic seems to influence the onset of CTRCD in cancer patients by indirectly reducing hospital access of cancer patients and cardiological checks. In addition our data reflect the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the late diagnosis of cancer, in the reduction of hospital admissions and regular medical checks, in the increase of comorbidities and cardiovascular complications.