Effects of anthracyclines on arteriosclerosis and the protective effect of dexrazoxane in breast cancer patients

Anthracyclines are essential agents in the treatment of breast cancer. This study investigated the effect of anthracyclines on arteriosclerosis. The study group consisted of 60 patients not receiving anticoagulants and was divided into two groups: a treatment group (<i>n</i> = 30) receiving dexrazoxane and a control group (<i>n</i> = 30) not receiving dexrazoxane. Basal oscillometric arterial and echocardiographic cardiac parameters were recorded prior to and one month following the completion of chemotherapy protocols. In the dexrazoxane group, only left ventricular end-diastolic pressure increased in pre- and post-treatment measurements (<i>p</i> = 0.008). In the control group, a decrease in ejection fraction (<i>p</i> = 0.001) and an increase in left ventricular end-diastolic and left ventricular end-systolic pressure and left atrial anteroposterior diameter (<i>p</i> < 0.001) were observed. The PWV value was significantly increased in the control group (<i>p</i> < 0.001). In patients who have received anthracyclines, dexrazoxane was protective against arteriosclerosis as demonstrated by statistically significant changes in aortic stiffness and PWV values.