Method of improving the quality of life in patients receiving anthracycline-containing chemotherapy
Askоlskiy А.В., Sivak L.A., Shevchuk L., Mаydаnеvich N., Verevkina N.
Summary. It is well known that the use of doxorubicin is associated with the risk of myocardial injury, left ventricular diastolic and systolic disorders and therefore patients quality of life decrement. The recommendations of the European Society of Cardiology is allowed to use angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and beta-blockers for the prevention of doxorubicin cardiotoxicity. The aim of the study was to improve the patients’ quality of life by using standardized low dose cardioprotective therapy with ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers. 100 patients required 6 cycles of a standard anthracycline chemotherapy (as a part of radical program treatment) were enrolled in to the study. In the main study group 50 patients received regime FAC concurrent with the cardioprotective medications (enalapril 2.5 mg orally twice daily and carvedilol 6.25 mg orally twice daily). In control group the same chemo were administered to the 50 patients but without supportive therapy. The comprehensive examination of the cardiovascular system and quality of life assessment using a questionnaire EQ-5D was done before, during the special treatment and 3 months after the last cycle. It was established that the quality of life of patients with breast cancer treated with cardioprotective therapy was better by 9.1% compared with the control group.
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