The Intriguing Occurrence of Segmental Arterial Mediolysis: Case Report and Concise Literature Review

The diagnostic value of global longitudinal strain combined with cardiac biomarkers on early detection of anthracycline-related cardiac dysfunction

BACKGROUND

Cardiac dysfunction associated with anthracyclines is a significant side effect of chemotherapy, and early detection is crucial. We aimed to assess the diagnostic value of combining global longitudinal strain (GLS) with biomarkers for the early detection of anthracycline-related cardiac dysfunction.

METHODS

In a prospective cohort study, 80 consecutive adult patients (mean age 51 ± 11 years; 68.8% females) were screened and underwent 2D echocardiographic assessments and biomarker assessments [high-sensitivity troponin-I (hs-Troponin-I) and NT-pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)] before and after anthracycline-based chemotherapy's initial regimen. The patients were followed up for 12 weeks to monitor for the development of cardiotoxicity.

RESULTS

Ten patients (12.5%) developed cardiotoxicity at the end of the 12-week follow-up. Baseline values of hs-Troponin-I and NT-proBNP were significantly higher in patients who developed cardiotoxicity compared to those who did not, with a similar pattern observed at the 3-week follow-up. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated that a cutoff value of baseline hs-Troponin-I > 11 ng/L, NT-proBNP > 90.1 pg/mL, 3-week left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤ 52%, 3-week GLS ≥ - 14.5%, 3-week hs-Troponin-I > 13.1 ng/L, and 3-week NT-proBNP > 118.1 pg/mL predicted the occurrence of cardiotoxicity with high sensitivity (range 83-94%) and specificity (range 77-92%).

CONCLUSION

Combination of GLS with biomarkers had a high diagnostic value in early identification of anthracycline-related cardiac dysfunction, with an estimated diagnostic accuracy of over 85%. This information could potentially help in the identification of patients at high risk of developing cardiac dysfunction, allowing for earlier management.

Circulating Cardiovascular Biomarkers in Cancer Therapeutics-Related Cardiotoxicity: Review of Critical Challenges, Solutions, and Future Directions

Cardiotoxicity is a growing concern in the oncology population. Transthoracic echocardiography and multigated acquisition scans have been used for surveillance but are relatively insensitive and resource intensive. Innovative imaging techniques are constrained by cost and availability. More sensitive, cost-effective cardiotoxicity surveillance strategies are needed. Circulating cardiovascular biomarkers could provide a sensitive, low-cost solution. Biomarkers such as troponins, natriuretic peptides (NPs), novel upstream signals of oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis as well as panomic technologies have shown substantial promise, and guidelines recommend baseline measurement of troponins and NPs in all patients receiving potential cardiotoxins. Nonetheless, supporting evidence has been hampered by several limitations. Previous reviews have provided valuable perspectives on biomarkers in cancer populations, but important analytic aspects remain to be examined in depth. This review provides comprehensive assessment of critical challenges and solutions in this field, with focus on analytical issues relating to biomarker measurement and interpretation. Examination of evidence pertaining to common and serious forms of cardiotoxicity reveals that improved study designs incorporating larger, more diverse populations, registry-based approaches, and refinement of current definitions are key. Further efforts to harmonize biomarker methodologies including centralized biobanking and analyses, novel decision limits, and head-to-head comparisons are needed. Multimarker algorithms incorporating machine learning may allow rapid, personalized risk assessment. These improvements will not only augment the predictive value of circulating biomarkers in cardiotoxicity but may elucidate both direct and indirect relationships between cardiovascular disease and cancer, allowing biomarkers a greater role in the development and success of novel anticancer therapies.

Cardiovascular Imaging in Cardio-Oncology: The Role of Echocardiography and Cardiac MRI in Modern Cardio-Oncology

Cardiovascular (CV) events are an increasingly common limitation of effective anticancer therapy. Over the last decade imaging has become essential to patients receiving contemporary cancer therapy. Herein we discuss the current state of CV imaging in cardio-oncology. We also provide a practical apparatus for the use of imaging in everyday cardiovascular care of oncology patients to improve outcomes for those at risk for cardiotoxicity, or with established cardiovascular disease. Finally, we consider future directions in the field given the wave of new anticancer therapies.

Early detection of anthracycline- and trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity: value and optimal timing of serum biomarkers and echocardiographic parameters

AIMS

To evaluate echocardiographic and biomarker changes during chemotherapy, assess their ability to early detect and predict cardiotoxicity and to define the best time for their evaluation.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Seventy-two women with breast cancer (52 ± 9.8 years) treated with anthracyclines (26 also with trastuzumab), were evaluated for 14 months (6 echocardiograms/12 laboratory tests). We analysed: high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T, NT-proBNP, global longitudinal strain (GLS), left ventricle end-systolic volume (LVESV), left ventricle end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Cardiotoxicity was defined as a reduction in LVEF>10% compared with baseline with LVEF<53%. High-sensitivity troponin T levels rose gradually reaching a maximum peak at 96 ± 13 days after starting chemotherapy (P < 0.001) and 62.5% of patients presented increased values during treatment. NT-proBNP augmented after each anthracycline cycle (mean pre-cycle levels of 72 ± 68 pg/mL and post-cycle levels of 260 ± 187 pg/mL; P < 0.0001). Cardiotoxicity was detected in 9.7% of patients (mean onset at 5.2 months). In the group with cardiotoxicity, the LVESV was higher compared with those without cardiotoxicity (40 mL vs. 29.5 mL; P = 0.045) at 1 month post-anthracycline treatment and the decline in GLS was more pronounced (-17.6% vs. -21.4%; P = 0.03). Trastuzumab did not alter serum biomarkers, but it was associated with an increase in LVESV and LVEDV (P < 0.05). While baseline LVEF was an independent predictor of later cardiotoxicity (P = 0.039), LVESV and GLS resulted to be early detectors of cardiotoxicity [odds ratio = 1.12 (1.02-1.24), odds ratio = 0.66 (0.44-0.92), P < 0.05] at 1 month post-anthracycline treatment. Neither high-sensitivity troponin T nor NT-proBNP was capable of predicting subsequent cardiotoxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

One month after completion of anthracycline treatment is the optimal time to detect cardiotoxicity by means of imaging parameters (LVESV and GSL) and to determine maximal troponin rise. Baseline LVEF was a predictor of later cardiotoxicity. Trastuzumab therapy does not affect troponin values hence imaging techniques are recommended to detect trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity.

Left ventricular segmental strain and the prediction of cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction

AIMS

We aimed to determine the early changes and predictive value of left ventricular (LV) segmental strain measures in women with breast cancer receiving doxorubicin.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In a cohort of 237 women with breast cancer receiving doxorubicin with or without trastuzumab, 1151 echocardiograms were prospectively acquired over a median (Q1-Q3) of 7 (2-24) months. LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and 36 segmental strain measures were core lab quantified. A supervised machine learning (ML) model was then developed using random forest regression to identify segmental strain measures predictive of nadir LVEF post-doxorubicin completion. Cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) was defined as a ≥10% absolute LVEF decline pre-treatment to a value <50%. Median (Q1-Q3) baseline age was 48 (41-57) years. Thirty-five women developed CTRCD, and eight of these developed symptomatic heart failure. From pre-treatment to doxorubicin completion, longitudinal strain worsened across the basal and mid-LV segments but not in the apical segments; circumferential strain worsened primarily in the septum; radial strain worsened uniformly and transverse strain remained unchanged across all LV segments. In the ML model, anterolateral and inferoseptal circumferential strain were the most predictive features; longitudinal and transverse strain in the basal inferoseptal, anterior, basal anterolateral, and apical lateral segments were also top predictive features. The addition of predictive segmental strain measures to a model including age, cancer therapy regimen, hypertension, and LVEF increased the area under the curve (AUC) from 0.70 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.60-0.80) to 0.87 (95% CI 0.81-0.92), ΔAUC = 0.18 (95% CI 0.08-0.27) for the prediction of CTRCD.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that segmental strain measures can enhance cardiotoxicity risk prediction in women with breast cancer receiving doxorubicin.

Role of myocardial strain imaging in surveillance and management of cancer therapeutics-related cardiac dysfunction: A systematic review

Transthoracic echocardiography is the primary cardiac imaging modality for the detection of Cancer Therapeutics-Related Cardiac Dysfunction (CTRCD) through evaluation of serial changes in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). However, LVEF assessment by standard methods including 3D Echo has important limitations including the fact that reduction in LVEF occurs late in the process of CTRCD. In contrast, by detecting early myocardial change, myocardial strain or deformation imaging has evolved to be a preferred parameter for detecting CTRCD. Peak systolic global longitudinal strain (GLS) by speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) has become an important prechemotherapy parameter that can independently predict subsequent adverse cardiac events as these abnormalities typically precede reduction in LVEF. While an absolute GLS measurement may be informative, a 10%-15% early reduction in GLS by STE appears to be the most useful prognosticator for cardiotoxicity while on therapy. In this paper, we present a current systematic literature review of application of myocardial strain imaging in cancer patients performed following PRISMA guidelines using electronic databases from MEDLINE, Embase, and SCOPUS Library from their inception until June 11th 2020. This review demonstrates the incremental value of myocardial deformation imaging over traditional LVEF in detection and its clinical implication in management of CTRCD.

Oncocardiology: new challenges, new opportunities

Patients with cancer are at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, which contributes to significant morbidity and mortality. The rapid progress in the field of oncological treatments has led to a steady increase in long-term cancer survivors. Care for cardiovascular complications is therefore becoming increasingly important. In addition, the establishment of new oncological therapies has resulted in the identification of previously unknown cardiovascular side effects. Oncocardiology aims to detect and treat cardiovascular diseases associated with cancer and cancer therapy. Continuous scientific, clinical, and structural developments are necessary as the basis for the best care of the growing number of affected patients. This review summarizes current developments in the field of oncocardiology with regard to advances in cancer therapy and challenges in clinical oncocardiology work. Cardiovascular side effects by targeted cancer therapies are characterized and recent advances in the field of cardiovascular diagnostics are outlined. Developments to better integrate oncocardiology into the medical care system and perspectives for modern, patient-oriented care are shown. In light of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, current challenges and opportunities are highlighted. The relevance of profitable further advances in oncocardiology including standardized guidelines and educational programs is delineated as a mandatory requirement for the successful development of oncocardiology.

Cardiac Biomarkers in Patients with Cancer: Considerations, Clinical Implications, and Future Avenues

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

As the number of cancer survivors increases due to early screening and modern (antineoplastic) treatments, cancer treatment associated cardiotoxicity (CTAC) is becoming an increasing health burden that affects survival and quality of life among cancer survivors. Thus, clinicians need to identify adverse events early, in an effort to take suitable measures before the occurrence of permanent or irreversible cardiac dysfunction.

RECENT FINDINGS

Cardiac troponin (cTn) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) have been proven to detect subclinical cardiotoxicity during antineoplastic treatment. As such, these cardio-specific biomarkers could predict which patients are at risk of developing CTAC even before the start of therapy. Nevertheless, there are inconsistent data from published studies, and the recommendations regarding the use of these biomarkers and their validity are mostly based on expert consensus opinion. In this review, we summarize available literature that evaluates biomarkers of CTAC, and we encourage strategies that integrate circulating biomarkers and cardiac imaging in identifying cancer patients that are at high risk.

Cardiac function in pemphigus vulgaris patients before and after steroid pulse therapy

BACKGROUND

Pemphigus vulgaris which is an autoimmune dermatological disorder characterized by vesiculobullous lesions over the skin and mucosae may also give rise to cardiac disease. Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) measurement may help to predict cardiac dysfunction in these patients.

METHOD

In this prospective study, the GLS was measured before and after steroid pulse therapy in pemphigus vulgaris patients using 2 D speckle-tracking echocardiography. Moreover, blood pressure, pulse rate, and corrected QT (cQT) interval were recorded before and after steroid pulse therapy.

RESULTS

We included 23 pemphigus patients. The mean age of patients was 34.5(±6.4). Mean GLS decreased significantly after the administration of steroid pulse therapy. The mean GLS decreased regardless of age, however, the patients with the age range of 40-50 years showed the highest change in GLS. There was no interaction between gender and GLS change. Mean cQT increased significantly after pulse therapy (p=.007). Heart rate increased significantly from 88.5 ± 10.8 to 97.0 ± 13.4 (p<.001). Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure did not show any significant change.

CONCLUSIONS

The steroid pulse therapy may associate with the progression of cardiac dysfunction in pemphigus patients. GLS, as a predictor, may be a valuable marker of cardiac subclinical dysfunction in this condition.