Comparison of cardiac function tests after anthracycline therapy in childhood. Implications for screening

Numerous methods for evaluating cardiac function after cardiotoxic therapy have been suggested. A practical algorithm for screening a large patient population is needed.

Seventy-three patients (median age, 15.3 years [range, 9-29 years) who received anthracyclines (median dose, 300 mg/m2 [range, 50-750 mg/m2) for a childhood malignancy underwent a battery of commonly used tests of cardiac function: (1) echocardiographic shortening fraction (ESF); (2) resting and exercise radionuclide scan (multiple gaited acquisition [MUGA]); (3) electrocardiogram (ECG); (4) 24-hour Holter monitor, and (5) questionnaire concerning exercise tolerance.

Patients with an abnormal resting ejection fraction on MUGA were more likely to have an abnormal ESF (P = 0.023), prolongation of the QTc interval (P = 0.014), and complaints of "difficulty" with exercise (P = 0.04). An abnormal results for a resting study was not predictive of an abnormal MUGA exercise response. There was no association between the presence of significant dysrhythmia on Holter monitor and any resting test. An algorithm was developed using a normal ESF and QTc interval, and a negative history of exercise intolerance to identify patients who need not undergo a MUGA. With the use of such an algorithm, 29 of the 73 patients would not have undergone the MUGA, only 2 of whom had an abnormal resting ejection fraction.

Patients at risk for cardiac damage after cancer therapy who have normal ESF and QTc interval results and no history of exercise intolerance are unlikely to have abnormal MUGA results. Significant dysrhythmia may be present in the absence of other abnormalities.