Resting HR, vagal effect and intrinsic HR in professional cyclists (N = 10) at transition (TT) and competitive training (CT).

<p>HR = heart rate.</p

Effects of anthracycline, cyclophosphamide and taxane chemotherapy on QTc measurements in patients with breast cancer

<div><p>Aim</p><p>Acute and subacute cardiotoxicity are characterized by prolongation of the corrected QT interval (QTc) and other measures derived from the QTc interval, such as QTc dispersion (QTdc) and transmural dispersion of repolarization (DTpTe). Although anthracyclines prolong the QTc interval, it is unclear whether breast cancer patients who undergo the ACT chemotherapy regimen of anthracycline (doxorubicin: A), cyclophosphamide (C) and taxane (T) may present with QTc, QTdc and DTpTe prolongation.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Twenty-three consecutive patients with breast cancer were followed prospectively during ACT chemotherapy and were analyzed according to their QT measurements. QTc, QTdc and DTpTe measurements were determined by a 12-lead electrocardiogram (EKG) prior to chemotherapy (baseline), immediately after the first phase of anthracycline and cyclophosphamide (AC) treatment, and immediately after T treatment. Serum troponin and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels were also measured.</p><p>Results</p><p>Compared to baseline values, the QTc interval was significantly prolonged after the AC phase (439.7 ± 33.2 ms vs. 472.5 ± 36.3 ms, p = 0.001) and after T treatment (439.7 ± 33.2 ms vs. 467.9 ± 42.6 ms, p < 0.001). Troponin levels were elevated after the AC phase (23.0 pg/mL [min-max: 6.0–85.0] vs. 6.0 pg/mL [min-max: 6.0–22.0], p < 0.001) and after T treatment (25.0 pg/mL [min-max: 6.0–80.0] vs. 6.0 pg/mL [min-max: 6.0–22.0], p < 0.001) compared to baseline values.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>In this prospective study of patients with non-metastatic breast cancer who underwent ACT chemotherapy, significant QTc prolongation and an elevation in serum troponin levels were observed.</p></div

The demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of all female study patients.

<p>The demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics of all female study patients.</p

Comparison of the QTdc and DTpTe measurements.

<p>Comparison of the QTdc and DTpTe measurements.</p

Comparison of the QTc measurements.

<p>Comparison of the QTc measurements.</p

Spearman rank correlation coefficients of adiponectin with autonomic nervous system indices and inflammatory cytokines.

<p>* P value < 0,05</p><p>HFr: high frequency; LFr: low frequency; n.u.: normalized units; TNF-alpha: Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha</p><p>There were significant correlations between leptin with some ANS assessment indexes in LVD group. Leptin level is associated positively with the LFr component and negatively with the HFr component in 24-hour Holter. No correlations between leptin and inflammatory cytokines were found. The values of correlations of leptin are shown in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0131447#pone.0131447.t007" target="_blank">Table 7</a>.</p><p>Spearman rank correlation coefficients of adiponectin with autonomic nervous system indices and inflammatory cytokines.</p

Evaluation of autonomic nervous system indices using the postural tilt test (supine position).

<p>Values expressed as medians (interquartile range)</p><p>* p values were calculated using Kruskal-Wallis test</p><p>** p <0.05 compared to control group using Tukey test</p><p>LFr: low frequency; HFr: high frequency; ms²: milliseconds squared; n.u.: normalized units.</p><p>Evaluation of autonomic nervous system indices using the postural tilt test (supine position).</p

Spearman rank correlation coefficients of leptin with autonomic nervous system indices and inflammatory cytokines.

<p>* P value < 0,05</p><p>HFr: high frequency; LFr: low frequency; n.u.: normalized units; TNF-alpha: Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha</p><p>Spearman rank correlation coefficients of leptin with autonomic nervous system indices and inflammatory cytokines.</p

Clinical and hemodynamic characteristics of the studied population.

<p>Values expressed as mean (± SD)</p><p>* p values were calculated using ANOVA</p><p>** p<0.001 compared to control group using Tukey test</p><p>NYHA: New York Heart Association functional class; HR: heart rate; SBP: systolic blood pressure; DBP: diastolic blood pressure, BMI: body mass index; LVEF: left ventricular ejection fraction; kg: kilograms, %: percentage</p><p>Clinical and hemodynamic characteristics of the studied population.</p