Detecting subclinical anthracycline therapy-related cardiac dysfunction in patients attending Uganda Cancer Institute

Abstract

Aims: To investigate the incidence of anthracycline therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (ATRCD) and its predictors among Ugandan cancer patients. Patients & methods: The study recruited 207 cancer patients who were followed for 6 months after ending anthracycline therapy. Global longitudinal strain and troponin-I were the diagnostic tools. Results & conclusions: The cumulative incidences of subclinical and clinical ATRCD were 35.0 and 8.8% respectively. The predictors of clinical ATRCD were HIV infection (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.04; 95% CI: 1.26–7.32; p = 0.013), lower baseline global longitudinal strain (HR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.53–0.71; p < 0.001) and development of subclinical ATRCD at the end of anthracycline therapy (HR: 6.61; 95% CI: 2.60–16.82; p < 0.001). Cardiac surveillance at baseline and at ending of anthracycline therapy is essential to identify high-risk patients.