Left atrial strain in cardiac surveillance of bone marrow transplant patients with prior anthracycline exposure.

Background: Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) has significantly improved survival rates in various hematological malignancies. However, this has led to an increased prevalence of long-term cardiotoxicity, particularly in those with prior anthracycline (AC) therapy.

Objectives: To evaluate changes in left atrial (LA) volume and function, including LA strain, in BMT patients with prior AC exposure and evaluate its utility as a marker of diastolic dysfunction.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis of 79 BMT patients with prior AC exposure who underwent a comprehensive surveillance transthoracic echocardiogram compared to age-matched healthy volunteers. Left ventricular (LV) and LA parameters were evaluated between the 2 groups. BMT patients were stratified using traditional measures of diastolic function and additionally utilizing LA strain.

Results: LV systolic dysfunction with reduced LVEF (13/79) or global longitudinal strain (29/79) was present in BMT patients. There were no differences in LA volumes between the two groups. LA reservoir strain (30.1 ± 11.2% vs 34.1 ± 9.6%, p < 0.001) and LA conduit strain (13.6 ± 8.4% vs 17.0 ± 10.5%, p < 0.001) were reduced in the BMT group compared to controls. LA reservoir strain had modest correlation with mitral annular e' velocity (r = 0.468, p < 0.001). Using current diastolic function guidelines, 26/79 BMT patients had evidence of diastolic dysfunction. However, utilizing LA reservoir strain, an additional 35 patients were identified.

Conclusions: LA strain can identify early diastolic dysfunction in BMT patients with prior AC treatment. With diastolic dysfunction known to precede systolic dysfunction post AC, changes in LA reservoir strain may identify more patients with cardiac dysfunction, prompting increased surveillance and treatment.