The aim of this retrospective study was to detect early
cardiotoxicity by speckle tracking analysis. We analyzed
2D and 3D echocardiographic datasets (2DE and 3DE)
in 65 patients treated for breast cancer with
anthracycline and trastuzumab. We compared the
temporal variations of the left ventricular ejection
fraction (L VEF) obtained analyzing 2D and 3D datasets
and of the strain values computed before, during and
after chemotherapy administration. In addition, in a
subgroup of 45 patients a complete echocardiographic
examination was performed 6 months after completion
of therapy. Cardiotoxicity onset definition varies
depending on the method used to compute LVEF (16. 9%
by 2DE and 50. 8% by 3DE). Thirty-three patients
developed cardiotoxicity. Nine of them showed a
reduction of longitudinal and radial strain values before
L VEF reduction at the J61h week. Through 3D speckle
tracking analysis early diagnosis of the cardio-toxicity
onset seems achievable allowing the planning of cardio
protective therapy without interrupting chemotherapy
administration.