Investigation of chemotherapy-induced cardiac dysfunction in breast cancer.

Abstract

Although recent advancements in cancer treatment have significantly improved survival rates, they have also raised concerns regarding severe adverse effects, including cardiotoxicity. We conducted a prospective study at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana to assess chemotherapy-related cardiac dysfunction in newly diagnosed, histologically confirmed breast cancer cases. Among 97 breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, 13 (13.4%) developed left ventricular dysfunction (LVD), predominantly in younger patients with left-sided breast involvement (64.9%). A significant association was found between estrogen receptor (ER) positivity and LVD risk (P = 0.03), with 15.4% of LVD patients also being hypertensive. The incidence of LVD was notably high at 38.5% among patients receiving trastuzumab, while cumulative doses of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide did not show significant correlation with LVD. Recovery was promising, with 76.9% of affected patients demonstrating significant improvement post-treatment. These findings highlight the need for continuous cardiac monitoring and personalized treatment strategies to mitigate LVD risk.