Cardiotoxicity in patients with early breast cancer treated with adjuvant trastuzumab

Introduction. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Poland. The aim of this study was to evalu­ate the incidence of cardiotoxicity in patients treated with adjunctive trastuzumab, as well as to determine risk factors for cardiotoxicity. Material and methods. The study covered 100 patients who completed one year of trastuzumab therapy or discon­tinued treatment due to acute cardiac complications. They underwent an oncological, cardiological, questionnaire and laboratory follow-up. Results. Acute cardiac complications (CC(+)) occurred in 11 (11%) patients. Patients in the CC(+) group were more likely to have hypertension, ischemic heart disease, hypothyroidism, and were more likely to smoke compared to the gro­up without cardiac complications (CC(–)). They had a lower left ventricular ejection fraction before, during and after trastuzumab therapy, and larger left ventricular dimensions in systole and diastole after treatment. The CC(+) received a higher dose of anthracyclines compared to CC(–). The NT-proBNP value remained elevated in the CC(+) group after treatment, despite normal LVEF values, and was higher than in the CC(–) group. Conclusions. Based on the study, type II cardiotoxicity, diagnosed early and treated appropriately, was found to be reversible.