Assessment of Early Cardiac Dysfunction Related to Cancer Therapy in Patients Receiving Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: An Echocardiographic Analysis

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an effective treatment for various blood cancers, but it carries a risk of developing cardiac dysfunction related to cancer therapy. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of subclinical cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) one year after HSCT and to explore clinical factors that may contribute to its development. The study included 55 patients who underwent either autologous or allogeneic HSCT. Echocardiographic evaluations were performed prior to transplantation and repeated at a 12-month follow-up to detect cardiac changes.

At one year post-transplant, 15 patients (27.3%) showed evidence of asymptomatic CTRCD, including 9 with mild and 6 with moderate dysfunction. A history of anthracycline chemotherapy was more frequent among patients with CTRCD (60%) compared to those without (22.5%). Similarly, the use of the BEAM conditioning regimen was associated with higher CTRCD incidence (33.3% vs. 5%). Subclinical cardiac dysfunction affects over a quarter of patients one year after HSCT. Prior exposure to anthracyclines and receiving the BEAM conditioning regimen appear to increase the likelihood of developing CTRCD.