Non-invasive assessment of vascular system function and damage induced by anthracycline treatment in the pediatric cancer survivors.

Anthracyclines represent one of the important classes of anti-cancer drugs; however, their major disadvantage is their profound cardiovascular toxicity. This study aimed to evaluate influence of anthracyclines on cardiovascular stiffness parameters estimated from pulse wave (PW). PW was measured in 59 cancer survivors treated with anthracyclines in childhood and in 248 healthy age-matched controls. Both patients and controls were divided into three age groups (13 - 15, 16 - 18 and 19 - 24 years). Central PW augmentation index (C-AI75) and augmentation pressure (C-AP75), both normalized to heart rate 75 bpm, were calculated as parameters of arterial wall stiffness. Central Buckberg sub-endocardial viability ratio (SEVR) was calculated as a parameter of diastolic function. Patients and controls were compared in each age group. C-AI75 and C-AP75 were significantly increased in patients in age groups 16 - 18 and 19 - 24 years. SEVR was decreased in patients in the oldest age group. Our results suggest that although toxic influence of anthracyclines to arterial wall and heart are developing during childhood and puberty, they can be detected rather in the adulthood. These changes are yet subclinical; however, their presence indicates potentially increased cardiovascular risk in childhood cancer survivors treated with anthracyclines during childhood.