[Velocity vector imaging assessment of early epirubicin-induced myocardial damage]

To assess the left ventricular (LV) longitudinal systolic and diastolic function in patients treated by epirubicin by velocity vector imaging (VVI) and to discuss the important clinical value of VVI in quantitatively evaluating the regional longitudinal function.

Thirty patients with breast cancer treated with epirubicin chemotherapy and 30 normal controls were included in the study. Dynamic images of apical long axis, four-chamber and two chamber view were obtained in all subjects, and the longitudinal systolic and diatolic parameters were measured in all subjects, including systolic maximum velocity (Vs), systolic maximum strain (SS), systolic maximum strain rate (SSR), diastolic maximum velocity (Vd), and diastolic maximum strain rate (DSR). The parameters were compared between the 2 groups. The conventional echcardiographic parameters were also obtained.

There was no significant change in all baseline parameters before the chemotherapy in 30 breast cancer patients compared with the normal controls (P>0.05). After the second chemotherapy cycle, DSR was lower in every segment, Vd was lower in the free wall, mainly the lateral, anterior and inferior wall (P<0.05), while Vd didn't change significantly in the septum wall (P>0.05). After the third chemotherapy cycle, Vd, DSR and SSR decreased significantly in all segments (P<0.05). Vs and SS didn't change significantly (P>0.05).

VVI can monitor the epirubicin cardiotoxicity early and is more sensitive than echocardiograph.