Outcome of anthracycline-related cardiomyopathy – experience of a cardiooncology clinic at a tertiary referral cancer centre

Introduction: The most common form of cardiotoxicity in cancer treatment is anthracycline-related cardiomyopathy. Objective: To study the factors affecting response to heart failure (HF) therapy in patients with anthracycline- related cardiomyopathy (ARC). Methods: Patients with ARC were included in the study. ARC was defined as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50% in patients who had received anthracycline based chemotherapy. 2Decho was done at baseline and every 3 months after starting anti-heart failure treatment. The primary endpoint of the study was response to anti-heart failure treatment. The patients were considered as responders when LVEF increased at least 10 absolute points. The secondary endpoint was overall survival. Results: 177 patients with ARC were included in the study. The median cumulative dose of doxorubicin was 275 mg/m2. Median clinical follow up duration was 19 months (range 3–73 months). 55% were responders. 25 cumulative doxorubicin dose of more than 200 mg/m2 increased the likelihood of non-response (p = 0.008), by a factor of 3.07 (95% CI: 1.34–7.05). 25 patients expired. There was a significant difference in overall survival among responders as compared to non-responders (p value: 0.002, log rank test). Conclusions: In patients with ARC cumulative doxorubicin dose of more than 200 mg/m2 increased the likelihood of non-response to anti-heart failure treatment. Responders have a better overall survival compared to non-responders in patients with ARC.