Childhood leukemia survivors exposed to anthracycline therapy had significantly lower peak LV torsion (P=0.003) and systolic twisting velocity (P<0.001) compared to healthy controls.
Case-Control (n=56)
Does prior anthracycline therapy alter left ventricular twisting and untwisting motion in childhood leukemia survivors compared to healthy controls?
Speckle tracking echocardiography reveals impaired left ventricular twisting and untwisting motion in childhood cancer survivors treated with anthracyclines, even when LV ejection fraction is preserved.
p-value: p=0.003
BACKGROUND: Anthracycline has been shown to degrade titin that plays a role in myocardial twisting and untwisting. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that left ventricular (LV) twisting and untwisting motion may be altered in children after anthracycline therapy. METHODS: Thirty-six childhood leukemia survivors aged 15.6 ± 5.5 years and 20 healthy controls aged 16.8 ± 7.7 years (P = 0.54) were studied. LV twisting and untwisting motion was determined using speckle tracking imaging, whereas LV ejection fraction and systolic and diastolic mitral annular velocities were determined respectively by three-dimensional and tissue-Doppler echocardiography. RESULTS: Compared with controls, patients had significantly lower LV ejection fraction (P = 0.01) but similar systolic and diastolic mitral annular velocities (all P > 0.05). Their peak LV torsion (P = 0.003), systolic twisting velocity (P 0.05). Twenty-eight (78%) patients had LV ejection fractions ≥50%. Although their systolic and diastolic mitral annular velocities were similar to those of controls, their peak LV torsion (P = 0.005), apical untwisting rate (P = 0.01), and LV systolic twisting velocity (P = 0.001) remained significantly lower. CONCLUSION: Impairment of LV twisting and untwisting motion is evident in children after anthracycline therapy, even in those with "normal" LV ejection fractions.
Cheung et al. (Wed,) conducted a case-control in Childhood leukemia survivors after anthracycline therapy (n=56). Anthracycline therapy vs. Healthy controls was evaluated on Peak left ventricular torsion, systolic twisting velocity, and diastolic untwisting velocity (p=0.003). Childhood leukemia survivors exposed to anthracycline therapy had significantly lower peak LV torsion (P=0.003) and systolic twisting velocity (P<0.001) compared to healthy controls.
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