[Changes in the functional status of the myocardium in acute leukemia patients]

The functional state of the myocardium was evaluated in 45 patients with acute leucosis. The physical, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic indices were analyzed. It was found that 40% of patients with acute leucosis in the primary-active phase showed a hypokinetic type of circulation. Revealed were prognostically unfavourable factors--leucocytes with marked blastosis in the peripheral blood and myelogram as well as thrombocytopenia that are of significance in the pathogenesis of myocardial involvement. Cardiotoxic doses of rubomycin were found that lead to lesions of the myocardium and formation of chronic cardiopathy. The authors discuss the pathogenetic mechanisms leading to deterioration of the contractile function of the myocardium, reduction of the stroke volume and reorganization of the central hemodynamics according to the hypokinetic type. Echocardiography allowed to reveal early signs of involvement of the myocardium and to institute early treatment effecting different links of pathogenesis and increase the efficiency of acute leucosis therapy.