The Role of Global Longitudinal Strain in Early Detection of Doxorubicin Induced Cardiotoxicity in Breast Cancer Patients

Objective: Cardiotoxicity is a recognized side effect of many antineoplastic drugs, particularly anthracyclines which used for breast cancer treatment. The identification of patients at high risk for developing cardiotoxicity would be a good strategy to decrease mortality. the aims was to assess the incidence of chemotherapy induce cardiotoxicity and identifying the reduction in global longitudinal strain in various treatment cycles for the early detection of cardiotoxicity, prior to ejection fraction reduction. Method: A prospective cohort study of confirmed and newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, who attend the Babylon oncology center in Marjan medical city between the fifth of January and the first of July of 2019. Results: The mean patient’s age was 51.3(±10.5) years, There is no association difference in systolic function during the follow up period. The reduction in global longitudinal strain by 8%-15% from baseline was found in 8 patients, while reduction ≥15% from baseline was found in only 2 patients during the follow up period. Conclusions: Global longitudinal strain drop was observed three weeks after chemotherapy onward without significant reduction in ejection fraction.