[Cardioprotection in chemo- and radiotherapy for malignant diseases--an echocardiographic pilot study]

Pilot study, examining the cardioprotective effect of an antioxidant regimen in patients with malignancies receiving high dose chemo- or radiotherapy.

14 patients with chemotherapy and 10 patients with radiotherapy were randomized in a double-blind fashion (placebo versus vitamin E and C and N-acetylcysteine). Systolic and diastolic echocardiographic parameters were determined before and within three weeks of treatment completion.

Left ventricular ejection fraction fell significantly in patients receiving placebo (radiotherapy: 67 +/- 6 to 56 +/- 2%, p = 0.008, chemotherapy: 67 +/- 7 to 60 +/- 8%, p = 0.05). Patients on antioxidants showed no significant fall in EF (radiotherapy: 63 +/- 8 to 61 +/- 7%, chemotherapy: 67 +/- 5 to 64 +/- 6%).

The small number of patients in the study precludes a definitive statement. The preliminary results, however, suggest efficient cardioprotection by this cheap and safe antioxidant combination, so that larger studies are warranted for confirmation.