Functional evaluation of cardiovascular system in patients with lymphogranulomatosis under long-term follow-up after combined therapy

The study included 127 patients with lymphogranulomatosis confirmed histologically. The patients were exposed to total or subtotal irradiation of lymph nodes and 6 cycles of polychemotherapy (COPP). Before the treatment and once a year after it all the patients were examined for defects in the cardiovascular function. Radiation pericarditis was found in 0.79% of the patients, acute coronary death occurred in 3 (2.8%) patients. At 3-11-year follow-up persistent changes in the cardiovascular parameters were noted only in older patients or those with cardiovascular disorders at the moment of the therapy. The authors think that feasibility of cardiac damage in lymphogranulomatosis patients is exaggerated and that reduction of radiation dose and COPP intensity is not valid in patients under 40.