Incidence of Cardiovascular Complications in Pediatric Patients Treated with Anthracyclines at a Brazilian Cancer Center.

Background: The introduction of anthracyclines in the treatment of children and adolescents with cancer has promoted a significant increase in survival, but also in morbidity and mortality rates due to cardiovascular (CV) complications.

Objectives: To determine the cardiovascular profile of pediatric patients treated with anthracyclines at a cancer center in Brazil and the incidence of CV complications.

Methods: The following data were collected from the medical records of patients of both sexes, aged younger than 19 years - frequency and form of clinical presentation of general CV complications (G1) and CV complications related to ventricular dysfunction (G2) - and correlated with risk factors, age range and vital status, cardiovascular and cardioprotective medications.