[Echocardiographic assessment of circulation system in patients during and 3-5 years after all therapy in childhood].

: Circulatory disturbances may occur during and after the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The reasons are: leukemic infiltrations of the heart, anaemia, renal disturbances, infections, cardiotoxic drugs, especially anthracyclines (Atc). The aim of the study was echocardiographic assessment of circulatory system in patients during and 3-5 years after ALL therapy in childhood. The study group (group B) consisted of 20 children, aged 1-16 years, who underwent Atc treatment with cumulative doses 155.8-330 mg/m2 and cardioprotective agent--dexrazoxane. In this group echocardiography was performed before the treatment as well as after 1, 6, 12 months and 3 years. The retrospective group (R) consisted of 36 persons aged 12-24 years, examined 3-5 years after the completion of ALL treatment, who had undergone the treatment with Atc in doses 148.6-416.7 mg/m2 without cardioprotection. The control group (K) consisted of 28 healthy volunteers, aged 9-25 years. In all subjects echocardiography was performed, standard measurements taken, systolic and diastolic indices of left ventricle (LV) function calculated. In patients during and 3-5 years after the treatment neither LV dilatation nor abnormal wall-thickness was found. The systolic indices remained normal. In the group B echocardiographic indices did not change significantly during 3 years of treatment and did not correlate with growing cumulative Atc doses. In this group isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT) was significantly longer, what emphasized the need of further clinical and echocardiographic follow-up.