Effect of Cardiac Rehabilitation Program on Left Ventricular Systolic Function in Patients with Breast Cancer Receiving Anthracycline-Based Chemotherapy Using Two-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography

Abstract Background Anthracyclines used in the treatment of breast cancer are known for their cumulative cardiotoxic effect, which remains a limiting factor. Cardio-oncology rehabilitation (CORE) is an new concept which aims to simultaneously decrease the risk of CVD and improve cardiopulmonary fitness among cancer patients during and after treatment. Two dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography is a promising technique for the early detection of nonclinical cardiotoxicity. Objective to determine the Effect of cardiac rehabilitation program on Left Ventricular systolic function in patients with breast cancer receiving Anthracycline based chemotherapy using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography Patients and Methods The current study is a prospective, randomized, single-blind trial that included a total of 100 female patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer who received anthracycline-based chemotherapy. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio into two groups, the study group (Group 1) in which patients were allocated cardiac rehabilitation program in addition to their regular chemotherapeutic drugs and the control group (group 2) in which patients received chemotherapy. A comprehensive echocardiographic examination was performed to all patients before receiving the chemotherapy and at 3 and 6 months after, assessment of LV- Global longitudinal strain was done by 2D- speckle tracking echocardiography. Results The mean age of patients assigned to the Group 1 was 49.10 ± 9.31 years, while patients assigned to the Group 2 had a mean age of 52.20 ± 7.07 years, both groups were similar in demographic data, baseline clinical characteristics and Echocardiographic Data. At 3 months, no significant difference was found in