Cardiopulmonary Functional Profiles in Cancer Therapy-Related Cardiac Dysfunction Among Patients with Non-Hodgkin...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Oncology
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) treatment poses significant cardiovascular risks, including cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD).
• Echocardiography is standard for monitoring cardiac function, but the prognostic value of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) for CTRCD is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prognostic role of CPET in predicting asymptomatic CTRCD in NHL patients.
• To assess the relationship between baseline CPET parameters and cardiac function at six months post-treatment.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study of 127 NHL patients undergoing antitumor treatment.
• Patients completed echocardiography and CPET at baseline and six-month follow-up.

Main Results:

• Asymptomatic CTRCD developed in 14.2% of NHL patients within six months.
• Patients with CTRCD showed significantly reduced work rates, lower oxygen volume at anaerobic threshold (VO₂ AT), and decreased oxygen consumption efficiency.
• Baseline peak oxygen consumption (VO₂ peak) positively correlated with left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) at six months.

Conclusions:

• CPET can identify NHL patients at risk for developing asymptomatic CTRCD.
• Impaired baseline exercise capacity, indicated by lower VO₂ peak, is associated with reduced LVEF at six months.
• CPET offers a valuable tool for early risk stratification of CTRCD in NHL patients.