A simple, non-invasive method of assessing the acute hemodynamic effects of doxorubicin

Left ventricular stroke distance was measured by Doppler ultrasound in 10 doxorubicin-treated and 10 control patients. Measurements were made 10 min, 2 h and 4 h after drug administration. Stroke distance (a linear analogue of stroke volume) increased significantly from 12.6 cm (S.D. 2.7) before and 12.5 cm (S.D. 2.7) 10 min after, to 13.6 cm (S.D. 2.8) 2 h after and 13.7 cm (S.D. 2.7) 4 h after doxorubicin (p less than 0.05). Throughout the study period there were no significant changes in stroke distance in the control patients who were infused with similar fluid volumes, and no significant changes in heart rate or blood pressure in either group. These observations confirm previous findings made by radionuclide ventriculography, a much more complex, expensive and hazardous technique, not amenable to repetition at short time intervals. The measurement of stroke distance by Doppler ultrasound is a convenient bedside method of assessing acute hemodynamic changes after doxorubicin or any drug affecting cardiac function. The method we describe is eminently suitable for investigating the cardiotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents.