Early detection of doxorubicin and daunorubicin cardiotoxicity by echocardiography: diastolic versus systolic parameters.

Doxorubicin and daunorubicin are effective anticancer agents in children, however, their therapeutic value is limited by myocardial cardiotoxicity. In 14 children (median age 5.0 years, range 3-12) prospective studies were performed using pulsed Doppler echocardiography to assess the changes in left ventricular systolic and diastolic filling dynamics.