Strain Imaging Detects Dose-Dependent Segmental Cardiac Dysfunction in the Acute Phase After Breast Irradiation.

PURPOSE: We examined the utility of echocardiographic 2-dimensional speckle tracking strain imaging (SI) for the evaluation of segmental myocardial dysfunction before and after radiation therapy (RT) and the relationship to dose exposure. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We prospectively recruited 40 women with left-sided breast cancer, undergoing only adjuvant RT to the left chest. Comparisons of traditional echocardiographic parameters and SI parameters at baseline and 6 weeks after RT were analyzed. Regional strain and strain rate (SR) parameters were obtained from all 18 left ventricular segments. The correlation of change in strain parameters with segmental radiation dose was examined. RESULTS: We observed a significant reduction in global and segmental systolic strain parameters at 6 weeks after RT compared with baseline, with the largest decrement in the apical segments; this corresponded with the segments receiving the highest radiation dose exposure (apical peak systolic strain of -21.21% ± 3.49% before RT vs -18.69% ± 3.34% after RT, percentage change of 11.88%, P=.002; apical peak systolic SR of -1.17 ± 0.24 s-1 before RT vs -1.04 ± 0.19 s-1 after RT, percentage change of 11.11%, P=.008). There was a modest correlation between the apical segment systolic strain reduction and radiation dose exposure (apical segment Δ change and apical radiation dose, r=0.345, P=.031; apical segment percentage change and apical radiation dose, r=0.346, P=.031). A significant reduction in early diastolic SR was observed in the apical segments after treatment compared with baseline (apical early diastolic SR, 1.54 ± 0.45 s-1 before RT vs 1.35 ± 0.33 after RT s-1; percentage change, 12.34%; P=.034). CONCLUSIONS: Two-dimensional SI detected dose-related regional myocardial dysfunction in the acute phase after RT in chemotherapy-naive left-sided breast cancer patients. Although the long-term effects remain unknown, this imaging modality may have a potential role in the evaluation of irradiation-related cardiotoxicity.

An e-health strategy to facilitate care of breast cancer survivors: A pilot study.

AIM: Innovative e-health strategies are emerging, to tailor and provide convenient, systematic and high-quality survivorship care for an expanding cancer survivor population. This pilot study tests the application of an e-health platform, "Healthy.me," in a breast cancer survivor cohort at Liverpool and Macarthur Cancer Therapy Centres, New South Wales, Australia. METHODS: Fifty breast cancer patients were recruited to use the Healthy.me website, designed by the Centre of Health Informatics at the University of New South Wales, over a 4-month period. Telephone and online questionnaires were used at 1 and 4 months and a face-to-face feedback at study completion, to gather qualitative and quantitative data regarding feasibility of Healthy.me. RESULTS: Healthy.me was reported to be a useful online resource by most users. Usage declined from 76% at 1 month to 48% at 4 months. Breast cancer survivors enjoyed a variety of tailored information regarding health and life-style issues. Positive aspects of Healthy.me were the convenient access to trusted information, and interaction with their peers and healthcare professionals. Barriers to usage contributing to usage decline were lack of reported patient time to re-access information, limited content updates and technical factors. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study suggested the potential of an e-health strategy such as Healthy.me in addressing the needs of a growing breast cancer survivor population. Ongoing development of a more robust e-health resource and integration with primary care models is warranted.

Subclinical cardiac dysfunction detected by strain imaging during breast irradiation with persistent changes 6 weeks after treatment.

PURPOSE: To evaluate 2-dimensional strain imaging (SI) for the detection of subclinical myocardial dysfunction during and after radiation therapy (RT). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Forty women with left-sided breast cancer, undergoing only adjuvant RT to the left chest, were prospectively recruited. Standard echocardiography and SI were performed at baseline, during RT, and 6 weeks after RT. Strain (S) and strain rate (Sr) parameters were measured in the longitudinal, circumferential, and radial planes. Correlation of change in global longitudinal strain (GLS % and Δ change) and the volume of heart receiving 30 Gy (V30) and mean heart dose (MHD) were examined. RESULTS: Left ventricular ejection fraction was unchanged; however, longitudinal systolic S and Sr and radial S were significantly reduced during RT and remained reduced at 6 weeks after treatment [longitudinal S (%) -20.44 ± 2.66 baseline vs -18.60 ± 2.70* during RT vs -18.34 ± 2.86* at 6 weeks after RT; longitudinal Sr (s(-1)) -1.19 ± 0.21 vs -1.06 ± 0.18* vs -1.06 ± 0.16*; radial S (%) 56.66 ± 18.57 vs 46.93 ± 14.56* vs 49.22 ± 15.81*; *P<.05 vs baseline]. Diastolic Sr were only reduced 6 weeks after RT [longitudinal E Sr (s(-1)) 1.47 ± 0.32 vs 1.29 ± 0.27*; longitudinal A Sr (s(-1)) 1.19 ± 0.31 vs 1.03 ± 0.24*; *P<.05 vs baseline], whereas circumferential strain was preserved throughout. A modest correlation between S and Sr and V30 and MHD was observed (GLS Δ change and V30 ρ = 0.314, P=.05; GLS % change and V30 ρ = 0.288, P=.076; GLS Δ change and MHD ρ = 0.348, P=.03; GLS % change and MHD ρ = 0.346, P=.031). CONCLUSIONS: Subclinical myocardial dysfunction was detected by 2-dimensional SI during RT, with changes persisting 6 weeks after treatment, though long-term effects remain unknown. Additionally, a modest correlation between strain reduction and radiation dose was observed.

Multisource feedback for radiation oncologists.

INTRODUCTION: Multisource feedback (MSF) is an assessment of performance through evaluation of an individual's competence from multiple perspectives. It is mandated in many specialist training schemes in medicine. The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of implementing MSF for consultant radiation oncologists. METHODS: A validated tool consisting of a self-assessment questionnaire, medical colleague questionnaire, co-worker questionnaire and patient questionnaire was used for MSF. Statements were rated on a 5-point Likert scale with 1 being a low rating and 5 a high rating. Seven radiation oncologists volunteered to undergo MSF. They each nominated 10 medical colleagues, 10 co-workers and 10 patients to be surveyed. Clinician feedback was provided as an individual report with a mean score and range for each data item. RESULTS: Two hundred ten surveys were mailed out and seven self-assessments were completed. The response rate was 87% for medical colleagues, 89% for co-workers and 79% for patients. The mean feedback scores averaged for the radiation oncologists ranged from 4.4 to 4.9, significantly higher than self-assessments scores which ranged from 3.2 to 3.7. MSF identified areas for potential improvement including communication and collaboration with co-workers and accessibility to and adequacy of clinic space for patients. All radiation oncologists found the MSF a positive experience, and five planned to make changes in their practice in response to this. CONCLUSIONS: The high response rate to the surveys has shown that it is feasible to implement MSF for radiation oncologists. This could potentially be used as a method for ongoing revalidation.