Impaired exercise capacity and left ventricular function in long-term adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Background Survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are at risk for late cardiotoxic effects of cancer treatment, but conflicting evidence exists on the effects of anthracyclines on left ventricular (LV) diastolic function and exercise capacity. Procedure We performed a cross‐sectional study with comprehensive echocardiography in 138 adult survivors of childhood ALL, median 23.4 years after diagnosis. Pulsed tissue Doppler measurements of early diastolic mitral annular velocities (e’) were used for the assessment of diastolic function, and compared to 138 matched controls. Of the survivors, 133 also performed ergospirometry measuring peak oxygen uptake (VO2max). Associations between cancer treatment, LV function, and VO2max were analyzed. Results The survivor group had lower e’ values than controls (e’ septal 11.0 vs. 12.6 cm/s, P