Journal of Harmonized Research in Pharmacy

A STUDY ON EVALUATION OF ANTHRACYCLINE INDUCED CARDIOTOXICITY IN CHEMOTHERAPY PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Author(s): Neethu Muralidharan*, Geetha K, Dr. Ramaprabha Hari

A prime limiting factor in the administration of anthracyclines is cardiotoxicity. AIM : was to evaluate anthracycline induced cardiotoxicity among chemotherapy patients in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study was carried among patients treated with anthracyclines alone or in combination with other chemo drugs. One hundred and fifty patients were enrolled and data collection form was designed to collect data on social demographic characteristics, parameters like Type, Root and Duration of administration, Type of Regiment administered, Cardiac assessment of the patients before, during and after anthracycline chemotherapy, any reassessment done after sixth cycle of chemotherapy from patient medical records. Results and Discussion: Out of 150 patients 7 were found to be cardiotoxic (2 males and 5 females (p<0.045)), 6 patients of age above 51 were cardiotoxic (p<0.025). 2 patients (n=43) with 30 min duration of administration, 3 patient (n=71) with 1 hour duration, 2 patients (n=9) with 2 hour duration (p<0.010) were cardiotoxic. 1 patient (n=54) and 6 patients (n=96) were cardiotoxic after cycle 6 and cycle 8 respectively (p<0.022). 3 patients (n=28) of anthracycline and cyclophosphamide combination showed cardiotoxicity (p<0.032). Conclusion: Current study concludes that the prevalence of anthracycline induced cardiotoxicity was low due to close and strict monitoring of patients before, during and after each cycle of chemotherapy and even during the follow up which may extend up to several years. Keywords: Anthracyclines, Cardiotoxicity, Age, Gender, Combination Therapy