Open AccessThe relationship between abdominal fat and change in left ventricular ejection fraction in cancer patients
Author(s) -
Reding Kerryn W.,
Ghemigian Khristine,
Carbone Salvatore,
D'Agostino Ralph,
Jordan Jennifer H.,
Meléndez Giselle,
Lamar Zanetta S.,
Klepin Heidi D.,
Thomas Alexandra,
Langford Dale,
Vasu Sujethra,
Hundley W. Gregory
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
obesity science and practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.654
H-Index - 14
ISSN - 2055-2238
DOI - 10.1002/osp4.454
Subject(s) - medicine , ejection fraction , confounding , cancer , breast cancer , heart failure , cardiology , body mass index , prospective cohort study , endocrinology
Objectives Prior studies have identified a relationship between body mass index (BMI) and intraperitoneal (IP) fat with heart failure; however, in prior studies of cancer patients receiving potentially cardiotoxic chemotherapy, elevations in BMI have not necessarily been associated with decrements in heart function. This study tested the hypothesis that IP fat may be associated with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) decline among cancer patients receiving potentially cardiotoxic chemotherapy. Methods In this prospective study of 61 cancer patients (23 breast cancer, 32 lymphoma, and 6 sarcoma), IP fat and other assessments of body composition, and changes in LVEF from pre‐ to postcancer treatment using noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging was ascertained. Results After accounting for age, baseline LVEF, and confounding variables, pre‐ to 24‐month post‐treatment LVEF changes were inversely correlated with IP fat ( r = −0.33; p = 0.02) and positively correlated with measures of subcutaneous (SQ) fat ( r = 0.33; p = 0.01). These LVEF changes were not correlated with BMI ( r = 0.12; p = 0.37). Conclusion Among patients receiving potentially cardiotoxic chemotherapy, pretreatment IP fat was associated with subsequent declines in LVEF. There was no association between BMI and LVEF decline. These findings may be related to a potential protective effect of SQ fat.