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Chemotherapy-induced Vascular Toxicity - Real-time In vivo Imaging of Vessel Impairment
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Effects of Cancer Therapy Targeting Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor on Central Blood Pressure and

Antonella Moreo1, Paola Vallerio1, Riccardo Ricotta2

  • 1Cardiology IV, "A.De Gasperis" Department, Ospedale Niguarda Ca' Granda, Milan, Italy;

American Journal of Hypertension
|June 3, 2015
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Anti-VEGFR drugs significantly increase blood pressure and arterial stiffness, with potential for persistent cardiac dysfunction. Cardiovascular changes are early and may reverse if treatment stops, but left ventricular function alterations persist.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Anti-angiogenic therapies targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) have improved solid tumor treatment.
  • These therapies can cause significant cardiovascular side effects.
  • This study investigates cardiovascular structural and functional changes during anti-VEGFR drug use.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze cardiovascular structural and functional changes in patients treated with anti-VEGFR drugs.
  • To assess the impact of anti-VEGFR therapy on blood pressure, arterial stiffness, and left ventricular function.

Main Methods:

  • Twenty-nine cancer patients received anti-VEGFR treatment.
  • Measurements included brachial and central blood pressure, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), augmentation index (Aix), and echocardiographic markers of left ventricular function (including global longitudinal strain).
  • Data collected at baseline (T0), 2 weeks (T1), and 6 weeks (T2).

Main Results:

  • Significant increases in peripheral and central blood pressure and cfPWV were observed.
  • Diastolic and subclinical systolic left ventricular function, including global longitudinal strain, were significantly altered.
  • Cardiovascular changes appeared early (T1) and worsened by T2 if treatment continued, but reversed if stopped.

Conclusions:

  • Blood pressure and cfPWV changes are early and reversible upon cessation of anti-VEGFR therapy.
  • Diastolic and systolic left ventricular function alterations are persistent despite treatment discontinuation.
Keywords:
arterial stiffnesscentral blood pressureglobal longitudinal strainhypertensionpulse wave velocityvascular endothelial growth factor receptor.

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