Klin Onkol 2006; 19(5): 270-273.
Summary
Backgrounds: Determination of the influence of anthracycline therapy on blood pressure and left ventricle function. Subjects: Forty children were examined by echocardiography and by non-invasive beat-to-beat monitoring of blood pressure at 6.5 years on average after finishing a therapy with anthracyclines. The patients were divided into two subgroups: with lower (A) and higher (B) ejection fraction.
Methods and Results: Mean values and standard deviations of the ejection fraction, fractional shortening, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and baroreflex sensitivity determined by spectral analysis were assessed. The Mann-Whitney test was used to compare the values obtained and standardised by means of regression analysis for the age of 15 years.No significant differences in the anthropometric parameters, the cumulative dose of anthracyclines and Xray radiation, diagnosis distribution, or use of cardioprotectants were found. In the group B we found significantly lower measured and standardised values of fractional shortening (p<0.001) and systolic blood pressure (p<0.01) in comparison with group A, but no differences in baroreflex sensitivity. The ejection fraction correlated positively with systolic blood pressure in the entire group (r=0.37, p<0.05).
Conclusions: The decrease in systolic blood pressure could be linked with the lower ejection fraction related to the cardiotoxicity of anti-tumour therapy. It appears to be independent of baroreflex sensitivity.
