The effect of adriamycin on cardiac functions in cancer patients [KANSERLI HASTALARDA ADRIAMISINE BAGLI KARDIAK ETKILENME]

The frequency of complications seen is increasing parallel to successful results in cancer therapy. In this study, the frequency and the early diagnostic criteria of cardiac complications due to adriamycin were investigated in 28 cases with cancer. Sixteen of the cases were boys and 12 of them were the girls, with an average age of 9.15 years. The control group consisted of five girls and five boys, with an average age was found to be 8.22 years. Electrocardiography, echocardiography, radionuclide scintigraphy, telecardiography and cardiac enzymes were used for assessing cardiac functions. In the group taking adriamycin right and left ventricular ejection fraction parameters were found to be significantly lower than in the group not taking adriamycin. In the study group left ventricular systolic time and fractional shortening values were significantly reduced regarding to the control group. In conclusion in the absence of clinical findings, myocardial effect proportional to the cumulative dose of adriamycin may be shown especially by radionuclide study. Echocardiography may not be a sensitive method for such doses.