Three-dimensional vectorcardiographic characteristics of breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy

Background: Patients receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer (breast cancer) may develop cardiac electrophys-iological abnormalities. The aim of this study is to examined possible alterations in cardiac electrophysiological parameters detected by three-dimensional vectorcardiograms (3D-VCGs) in breast cancer patients who received chemotherapy. Methods: This was a prospective single-center cohort study conducted in Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical Uni-versity, China. Patients with breast cancer referred for chemotherapy from May 1, 2019, to October 1, 2019 were invited to participate in the study. 3D-VCGs and echocardiography were recorded at rest four times (baseline, after the first cycle, after third cycles and at the end of the regimen, respectively). Results: A total of 63 patients were included. Compared with baseline, decreases in 3D maximum T vector mag-nitude (TVM) (0.29 +/- 0.10 vs. 0.25 +/- 0.10 mV; p < 0.05) and 3D T/QRS ratio (0.26 +/- 0.11 vs. 0.21 +/- 0.11; p < 0.05) were observed by the end of chemotherapy regimen, while echocardiographic parameters showed no sig-nificant variation before and after chemotherapy (all P > 0.05). Furthermore, after third cycles, maximum TVM were correlated with LVEF except in horizontal plane (3D: r = 0.33, p < 0.01; frontal plane: r = 0.34, p < 0.01; horizontal plane: r = 0.24, p = 0.06; right side plane: r = 0.30, p = 0.02). After completion of chemother-apy, maximum TVM were also positive correlated with LVEF (3D: r = 0.33, P < 0.01; frontal plane: r = 0.32, P = 0.01; horizontal plane: r = 0.27, P = 0.03, right side plane: r = 0.38, P < 0.01). Conclusions: Along with chemotherapy, maximum TVM and T/QRS is lower in patients with breast cancer. After third cycles and after completion of chemotherapy, there is a positive correlation between maximum TVM and LVEF. 3D-VCGs can be used to detect electrophysiological abnormalities in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. (c) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.