123I‐MIBG imaging for detection of anthracycline‐induced cardiomyopathy

Research output: Contribution to journalReviewResearchpeer-review

Due to improvements in early detection and treatment of malignant disease, the population of cancer survivors is constantly expanding. Cancer survivors are faced with chemotherapy-related long-term side effects, including irreversible cardiac injury with risk of heart failure (HF). Numerous antineoplastic regimens are associated with risk of cardiac side effects, but anthracyclines in particular carry a severe risk of cardiotoxicity. Currently, serial echocardiographic evaluation of resting left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is the gold standard for monitoring anthracycline-induced cardiac side effects from chemotherapy. LVEF measurements are, however, limited by their low sensitivity. A normal LVEF does not exclude cardiotoxicity and declines in LVEF are usually not observed before the occurrence of irreversible cardiomyopathy. Hence, a clinically applicable high-sensitivity diagnostic tool for early detection of chemotherapy-related cardiotoxicity is still lacking and alternative non-invasive imaging modalities are therefore being investigated. (123) I-MIBG is a noradrenaline (NA) analogue used for evaluation of cardiac adrenergic function, including assessment of HF prognosis and evaluation of HF treatment response. However, the role of (123) I-MIBG for monitoring chemotherapy-related cardiotoxicity is still unclear. Here, we review the value of (123) I-MIBG imaging for early detection and prevention of anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy.

Original languageEnglish
JournalClinical Physiology and Functional Imaging
Volume38
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)176-185
ISSN1475-0961
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2018

    Research areas

  • Journal Article, Review

ID: 174693568