Longitudinal Diastolic strain as predictor for systolic dysfunction
among patients with active breast cancer
Abstract
Background: Although diastolic dysfunction is common among patients
treated with cancer therapy, no clear evidence has been shown that it
predicts systolic dysfunction. This study evaluated the correlation of
longitudinal diastolic strain (Ds) with echocardiography diastolic
parameters and to estimate its role in the early detection of
cardiotoxicity among patients with active breast cancer. Methods: Data
were collected as part of the Israel Cardio-Oncology Registry (ICOR), a
prospective registry enrolling all adult patients referred to the
cardio-oncology clinic. All patients with breast cancer, planned for
Doxorubicin therapy were included. Echocardiography, including Global
longitudinal systolic strain (GLS) and Ds, was assessed at baseline
before chemotherapy (T1), during Doxorubicin therapy (T2) and after the
completion of Doxorubicin therapy (T3). Cardiotoxicity were determined
by GLS relative reduction of ≥15%. Ds was assessed as the time of
lengthening =diastolic time (ms) measured. Results: Among 69 patients,
67 (97.1%) were females with a mean age 52±13years. Diastolic strain
time measurement was significantly associated with the standard
diastolic parameters. Significant GLS reduction was observed in 10
(20%) patients at T3 . Both in a univariate and a multivariate analyses
the change in Ds basal time from T1 to T2 emerged to be significantly
associated with GLS reduction at T3 (p<0.04). Conclusions:
Among breast cancer patients, Ds time showed high correlation to
standard diastolic echocardiography parameters. Relative reduction in Ds
basal time emerged associated with clinically significant systolic
dysfunction as measured by GLS reduction.