Bone marrow transplantation may augment cardiac systolic function in patients with a reduced left ventricular...

Cardiac function is influenced by bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Studies have shown the various cardiotoxic effects of high-dose chemotherapy. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of BMT on cardiac systolic function using echocardiographic indices.

Patients with lymphoma (Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's), multiple myeloma, and solid tumors which were candidates for autologous BMT were selected. The tissue Doppler S wave velocity in left ventricular echocardiographic segments and the Swave velocity in right ventricle, the left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVESD), and ejection fraction (EF) were measured before and after BMT.

Nineteen patients studied. The mean systolic function variable measures were calculated before and after BMT. The tissue Doppler S mean decreased in the septal, lateral and anterior walls by 8%, 7.9%, and 4.9% (P = 0.017), respectively. The tissue Doppler S mean increased in the inferior, anteroseptal and posterior walls by 1%, 0.6%, and 6.1%, respectively (not significant). The right ventricle Doppler S mean decreased by 7.5% after BMT (P = 0.03). The LVEDD and LVESD decreased significantly by 4.8% (P = 0.003) and 3.3% (P = 0.015), respectively, following BMT. The ejection fraction increased by about 7% after BMT (P = 0.05).

The tissue Doppler S increased in all LV walls in patients with an EF less than 47%; surprisingly, tissue Doppler S decreased in all patients with an EF greater than 47%; and the ejection fraction increased by 13.6% and 3.1% in patients with a pre-BMT EF less than 47% and above 47%, respectively.