Incidence of Cardiovascular Complications in Pediatric Patients Treated with Anthracyclines at a Brazilian Cancer Center

Arq Bras Cardiol. 2024 Jun 24;121(5):e20210352. doi: 10.36660/abc.20210352. eCollection 2024.
[Article in Portuguese, English]

Abstract

Background: The introduction of anthracyclines in the treatment of children and adolescents with cancer has promoted a significant increase in survival, but also in morbidity and mortality rates due to cardiovascular (CV) complications.

Objectives: To determine the cardiovascular profile of pediatric patients treated with anthracyclines at a cancer center in Brazil and the incidence of CV complications.

Methods: The following data were collected from the medical records of patients of both sexes, aged younger than 19 years - frequency and form of clinical presentation of general CV complications (G1) and CV complications related to ventricular dysfunction (G2) - and correlated with risk factors, age range and vital status, cardiovascular and cardioprotective medications. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: A total of 326 patients were included, 214 (65.6%) were younger than 10 years and 192 (58.9%) of male sex. G1 complications occurred in 141 (43.3%) patients, and the most frequent was systemic arterial hypertension; G2 complications occurred in 84 patients (25.8%). Cumulative dose (CD) of anthracyclines > 250mg/m2 was used in 26.7% of patients and the association of G2 complications with this CD was not statistically significant (p=0.305; OR=1.330 and [95% CI = 0.770- 2.296]). The most used cardiac medications were diuretics (34.7% of patients).

Conclusions: In accordance with literature, the study showed a high incidence of CV complications in the treatment of children and adolescents with cancer, with general CV complications as the most prevalent.

Fundamento: A introdução das antraciclinas no tratamento do câncer infantojuvenil propiciou um aumento significativo na sobrevida, mas também nas taxas de morbimortalidade devido às complicações cardiovasculares (CVs).

Objetivos: Conhecer o perfil cardiológico de pacientes pediátricos tratados com antraciclinas em um centro oncológico no Brasil e a incidência das complicações CVs.

Métodos: Foram coletados, de prontuários de pacientes de ambos os sexos com idade até 19 anos – frequência e forma de apresentação clínica das complicações CVs Gerais (G1) e relacionadas à Disfunção Ventricular (G2) – e correlacionados com fatores de risco, faixa etária e estado vital, medicações cardiológicas e cardioprotetoras. Um valor de p < 0,05 foi considerado significativo.

Resultados: Foram incluídos 326 pacientes, destes, 214 (65,6%) eram menores de 10 anos e 192 (58,89%) do sexo masculino. As complicações do G1 ocorreram em 141 (43,3%) pacientes e a mais frequente foi a hipertensão arterial sistêmica; as complicações do G2 ocorreram em 84 pacientes (25,76%). Uma Dose Cumulativa (DC) das antraciclinas > 250mg/m2 foi usada em 26,7% dos pacientes e a associação de complicações do G2 com essa DC não mostrou significância estatística (p=0,305; RC=1,330 e [95% IC= 0,770- 2,296]). As medicações cardiológicas mais usadas foram os diuréticos em 34,7% dos pacientes.

Conclusões: O estudo mostrou, como na literatura, uma alta incidência de complicações CVs no tratamento do câncer infantojuvenil, sendo as do G1 as mais frequentes.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anthracyclines* / adverse effects
  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / adverse effects
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Cardiotoxicity / etiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / chemically induced
  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Neoplasms / complications
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Distribution
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anthracyclines
  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic