• Solomon Kibudde, Charles Kiiza Mondo, Davis Kibirige, Victoria Walusansa, and Jackson Orem.
• Uganda Cancer Institute, Department of Medical Oncology.
• Afr Health Sci. 2019 Mar 1; 19 (1): 164716561647-1656.

PurposeTo determine the cumulative incidence of anthracycline induced cardiotoxicity (AIC), its predictors, and associated electrocardiographic and echocardiographic manifestations in adult cancer patients at Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI).MethodsWe enrolled 160 participants between June 2013 and April 2014 and followed them up for a median of 146 days. Data on clinical, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings was obtained at baseline, and at completion of chemotherapy. The Pearson chi square test was used to identify the predictors associated with cardiotoxicity.ResultsOf the 64 patients who were accessible for follow-up electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography (ECHO), fourteen participants developed cardiotoxicity hence a cumulative incidence rate of 21.9% with 95% CI 13.5%-33.43%. The predictors of AIC were female gender (p=0.025), LVEF (p=0.014) and LVFS (P=0.019). Anthracycline therapy was associated with shortening of the QRS duration (84.3±7.9 Vs 82.1±11.8 ms, p=0.005), prolongation of the QTc interval (411.9±30.7 Vs 447.2±39.4 ms, p=<0.001) and reduction in the LVEF (66.4±7.7 Vs 63.9±8.4%, p=0.026) and LVFS (36.9±6.2 Vs 35.1±6.6%, p=0.03).ConclusionThe cumulative incidence of AIC in this study cohort was high. Our findings emphasize the need for early monitoring for AIC.

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