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Published on: May 14, 2018
A Prospective Study to Evaluate the Effect of Paclitaxel on Cardiac Ejection Fraction
Mohammed Osman1, Mohammad Elkady2
1General Organization for Teaching Hospital, Cairo, Egypt.
Background:
The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the long-term changes in ejection fraction (EF) associated with paclitaxel infusion.
Methods:
50 patients were enrolled in this prospective study between 2011 and 2015. The study design included frequent follow-up visits to the clinic, EF evaluation at baseline, and regular EF assessment by echocardiography for 30 months after treatment.
Results:
The median baseline EF was 60% (95% confidence interval (CI) 50-80%). At 30 months, the median EF was 48% (95% CI 40-60%; p = 0.03). During the 30-month follow-up, 10 (20%) patients developed grade 1 and 2 cardiotoxicities; none developed grade 3 or 4 cardiotoxicities. Furthermore, paclitaxel cardiotoxicity increased among patients with high-risk features including associated diabetes mellitus, hypertension, prior radiotherapy to the chest wall, performance status of 2, and age > 60 years.
Conclusion:
Paclitaxel has cardiotoxic effects. Careful monitoring of cardiac function during and after paclitaxel infusion is required in patients with high-risk features.
