Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
Chemotherapy-induced Vascular Toxicity - Real-time In vivo Imaging of Vessel Impairment
Published on: January 7, 2015
CARDIOVASCULAR COMPLICATIONS OF CHEMOTHERAPY IN BREAST CANCER: A SCOPING REVIEW
O A Orimolade1,2, O S Ogah1,2, O A Ajagbe3,4
1Cardiology Unit, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Background:
Chemotherapy remains a cornerstone in breast cancer management but is associated with significant cardiovascular toxicity, which may adversely affect long-term outcomes. Anthracyclines are particularly implicated due to their dose-dependent cardiotoxic effects.
Objective:
To synthesize current evidence on chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity in breast cancer, with emphasis on anthracycline-related cardiac dysfunction, including epidemiology, mechanisms, risk factors, detection, and prevention.
Methods:
A scoping review of peer-reviewed literature was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Studies evaluating cardiovascular complications of chemotherapy in breast cancer were included.
Results:
Cardiotoxicity risk is associated with cumulative anthracycline dose, concurrent use of cardiotoxic agents such as trastuzumab, and pre-existing cardiovascular disease. Mechanisms include oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and topoisomerase II inhibition. Early detection using speckletracking echocardiography and biomarkers such as troponins and natriuretic peptides allows identification of subclinical myocardial injury. Preventive strategies-including dose modification, liposomal anthracyclines, and cardioprotective agents such as dexrazoxane, beta-blockers, and ACE inhibitors-demonstrate benefit.5/13/2026.
Conclusion:
Chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity remains a major clinical challenge. Early detection, risk stratification, and integrated cardio-oncology care are essential to improving outcomes in breast cancer patients.
Related Concept Videos
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
01:25Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-III: Symptoms and Complications.
Symptoms of COPD can be classified as primary or systemic. Primary symptoms relate to reduced airflow, while systemic or extrapulmonary symptoms relate to COPD's broader impact on the body.
Primary Symptoms of COPD:
01:17Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System I:Echocardiography
Indications: Echocardiography is utilized to diagnose heart failure, valve disorders, and myocardial infarction. It also assesses cardiac structures' size, shape, and motion, evaluates...
02:59Cancer Prevention
Some...
01:28Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT
01:18Cardiovascular Drugs: Classification based on Therapeutic Indications