Exercise as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool for the prevention of cardiovascular dysfunction in breast cancer patients

Abstract

Background: Anthracycline chemotherapy may be associated with decreased cardiac function and functional capacity measured as the peak oxygen uptake during exercise (VO 2 peak). We sought to determine (a) whether a structured exercise training program would attenuate reductions in VO 2 peak and (b) whether exercise cardiac imaging is a more sensitive marker of cardiac injury than the current standard of care resting left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Methods: Twenty-eight patients with early stage breast cancer undergoing anthracycline chemotherapy were able to choose between exercise training (mean ± SD age 47 ± 9 years, n = 14) or usual care (mean ± SD age 53 ± 9 years, n = 14). Mea..