RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Patients treated with anthracyclines and trastuzumab are at increased risk of developing heart failure. Early diagnosis and treatment may prevent irreversible left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. This study investigates whether subclinical deterioration of global longitudinal strain (GLS) is a more reliable early predictor for LV dysfunction than three-dimensional (3D) LV ejection fraction (LVEF). METHODS: Adult patients receiving anthracyclines and trastuzumab for breast cancer who had serial echocardiographic follow-up were included in this retrospective study. The primary endpoint was the necessity to temporarily pause chemo- or immunotherapy due to declining LVEF (decline in 3D LVEF of >â¯10 percentage points to <â¯53%). Linear mixed-effects models were used to assess the longitudinal evolution of 3D LVEF and GLS over time. RESULTS: Fifty-one women were included, mean age 54 (50.5-57.6) years, with a total of 216 follow-up echocardiograms (mean follow-up 1.1⯱ 0.45 years). GLS and 3D LVEF were significantly correlated (Spearman's rho: -0.36, pâ¯< 0.001). A decrease in GLS significantly predicted a lower LVEF on the subsequent echocardiogram [ß -0.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) (-1.0 to -0.2), pâ¯< 0.006]. Conversely, prior LVEF did not significantly predict GLS on the subsequent echocardiogram [ß -0.04, 95% CI -0.1 to -0.01, pâ¯= 0.12]. Nine patients reached the primary endpoint. On average, patients who reached the primary endpoint had a relative decrease of 15% GLS at day 205 and an absolute 10% decrease of LVEF to LVEF <â¯53% at day 235. DISCUSSION: GLS is able to identify subclinical LV dysfunction earlier than 3D LVEF measurement in women undergoing treatment for breast cancer with anthracyclines followed by trastuzumab.
RESUMO
Carcinoid tumours are rare, but well known for their characteristic presentation with diarrhoea and flushes due to overproduction of serotonin in the case of liver metastases. Treatment is mainly based on the reduction of vasoactive peptide hypersecretion and symptomatic improvement Octreotide and interferon are widely applied and effective treatment options to induce symptomatic improvement and, to a lesser extent, biochemical response. The main drawbacks, however, are the need for frequent injections and/or the occurrence of side effects. A rather new approach is the application of meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG), which resembles noradrenalin and serotonin. In carcinoid patients, MIBG is taken up in the tumour cells and stored in the neurosecretory granules. When labelled with 131 iodine, radionuclide imaging is positive in up to 70% of the patients. In these patients, two cycles of a therapeutic dose of radioactive MIBG may induce long-lasting palliation (8 months) by internal irradiation. Also, the non-radioactive MIBG compound may be effective in palliation, even in patients with a negative scan. The mode of action is based on specific tumour acidification as found in animal models, and/or based on its effect as a false neurotransmittor. Three case reports demonstrate different therapeutic possibilities of MIBG: 1) symptomatic relief with unlabelled MIBG, which is a safe and simple treatment; 2) the longterm palliation following radioactive treatment; and 3) an additional new aspect of predosing with unlabelled MIBG followed by radioactive MIBG led to improved tumour targeting and impressive clinical response.