Preventive role of carvedilol in adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy

Adriamycin though considered as an effective anticancer drug, leads to irreversible cardiomyopathy (CMP) and congestive heart failure (CHF). The aim of this study was to determine the protective effect of carvedilol in adriamycin (ADR)-induced cardiomyopathy (CMP) in cancer patients.

Patients with lymphoreticular malignancy in whom ADR therapy was planned were randomized into two groups: carvedilol and control. Twenty seven patients each were enrolled in carvedilol and control groups. In the carvedilol group, 12.5 mg once daily oral carvedilol was given during six months. The patients were evaluated by echocardiography before and after chemotherapy. Left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) and systolic and diastolic diameters were calculated.

At six months of follow up, six patients in the carvedilol group and five in the control group had died. The mean EF (63.19 vs. 63.88%) and fraction shortening (FS) (34 vs. 34.6) of the carvedilol group were similar at follow up, but in the control group, the mean EF (67.27 vs. 60.82%, P =0.003) and FS (38.48 vs. 34.6, P<0.05) at control echocardiography were significantly lower. In carvedilol group, both systolic and diastolic diameters were not changed, but in control group, systolic diameters were significantly increased compared with basal measures (left ventricular end systolic diameter = 28.26±5.50 mm vs. 31.25± 6.50 mm; P< 0.05).

Prophylactic use of carvedilol in patients receiving anthracycline protected systolic functions of the left ventricle. Carvedilol can be a potential drug which can ameliorate ADR-induced CMP.