Can haemodynamic force analysis be used to identify cancer treatment-related cardiac dysfunction? A comparison with strain and ejection fraction.

Abstract Background Haemodynamic Force Analysis (HDF) is an approach to quantification of intraventricular pressure gradients, from routine transthoracic echocardiography. HFA is potentially a sensitive means of assessing LV dysfunction, and has been used for the prediction of LV remodelling, but its use in the detection of subclinical LV dysfunction remains undefined. We sought whether HDF could be used to detect Cancer Treatment-Related Cardiac Dysfunction (CTRCD). Methods From a group of 240 pts undergoing echos at baseline and every 3 months in the course of potentially-cardiotoxic chemotherapy, we matched 28 pts who developed CTRCD with 33 controls. HDF was calculated by tracking the endocardial contour throughout the cardiac cycle (Figure). CTRCD was defined by the development of a 12% relative change in GLS, or an asymptomatic absolute EF change of 10% at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Results Of 28 pts developed CTRCD; 17 at 3 months, 5 at 6 months, 3 at 9 months and 3 at 12 months. At the time of developing CTRCD, there was a difference between absolute GLS (p-0.04) and borderline difference in EF (p=0.08). However, although there was a small difference in HDF between groups, the variance of this parameter was large, and the values were not significantly different (Table). There was no difference in total HDF (Table). Conclusions Although absolute levels of systolic HDF were different between pts with CTRCD and controls, the scatter of this parameter was large and no significant difference was documented. HDF may be better for predicting the evolution of abnormal LVs than ion the detection of subclinical dysfunction.