Global longitudinal strain identifies a higher prevalence of asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction (9-30%) in anthracycline-treated childhood cancer survivors compared to left ventricular ejection fraction (1-6%).
Systematic Review (n=3,840)
Does global longitudinal strain identify a higher prevalence of asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction compared to LVEF in anthracycline-treated childhood cancer survivors?
Global longitudinal strain identifies a higher prevalence of asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction in anthracycline-treated childhood cancer survivors compared to traditional LVEF.
PURPOSE: Echocardiographic surveillance for asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ALVSD) is advised in childhood cancer survivors (CCS), because of their risk of heart failure after anthracycline treatment. ALVSD can be assessed with different echocardiographic parameters. We systematically reviewed the prevalence and risk factors of late ALVSD, as defined by contemporary and more traditional echocardiographic parameters. METHODS: We searched databases from 2001 to 2020 for studies on ≥ 100 asymptomatic 5-year CCS treated with anthracyclines, with or without radiotherapy involving the heart region. Outcomes of interest were prevalence of ALVSD-measured with volumetric methods (ejection fraction; LVEF), myocardial strain, or linear methods (fractional shortening; FS)-and its risk factors from multivariable analyses. RESULTS: Eleven included studies represented 3840 CCS. All studies had methodological limitations. An LVEF < 50% was observed in three studies in 1-6% of CCS, and reduced global longitudinal strain (GLS) was reported in three studies in 9-30% of CCS, both after a median follow-up of 9 to 23 years. GLS was abnormal in 20-28% of subjects with normal LVEF. Abnormal FS was reported in six studies in 0.3-30% of CCS, defined with various cut-off values (< 25 to < 30%), at a median follow-up of 10 to 18 years. Across echocardiographic parameters, reported risk factors were cumulative anthracycline dose and radiotherapy involving the heart region, with no 'safe' dose for ALVSD. CONCLUSIONS: GLS identifies higher prevalence of ALVSD in anthracycline-treated CCS, than LVEF. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: The diagnostic and prognostic value of GLS should be evaluated within large cohorts. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42019126588.
Merkx et al. (Sat,) conducted a systematic review in Asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction in childhood cancer survivors (n=3,840). Anthracycline treatment was evaluated on Prevalence of asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ALVSD). Global longitudinal strain identifies a higher prevalence of asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction (9-30%) in anthracycline-treated childhood cancer survivors compared to left ventricular ejection fraction (1-6%).