Echocardiographic evolution of left ventricular function in childhood leukemia survivors.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac events are the most common nonmalignant cause of death in childhood cancer survivors. This population has an increased risk of morbimortality, probably secondary to the treatment side effects. The objective was to determine the prevalence and determinants of left ventricular dysfunction in a cohort of long term childhood acute leukemia survivors treated with potentially cardiotoxic therapies.

METHODS: Retrospective study with at least 10 years of follow-up, diagnosed between 1999 and 2003. The reduction percentage of the fractional shortening and ejection fraction was calculated from the diagnosis to the end of treatment and 10 years after the end of treatment. The factors associated with their decrease were analyzed.

RESULTS: The fractional shortening and ejection fraction experienced a significant decrease 10 years after the end of treatment from 38.16 to 32 and 69.08 to 60.79, respectively. Reduction was more pronounced during the evaluation of the first year after treatment (-10.3% and -8.96%, P <0.05). Associated with high tumor risk and adjuvant treatment with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and total body radiation. No differences were found in the total anthracycline doses received. Patients with the greatest decrease had a lower age at the time of diagnosis (mean 5.7 ± 4.5 years), 62.5% (5/8) less at 5 years, and 75% received radiotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

CONCLUSION: There is already a significant decrease in the fractional shortening and ejection fraction during the first year after the end of the treatment, which is maintained 10 years after the end of treatment. Associated with high tumor risk and with total body radiation treatment and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.