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Embargoed for 3 p.m. ET - Abstract 13988
Beta blockers help prevent heart complications from common breast cancer therapy
Beta blockers can help prevent potential heart-related complications from a drug used to treat breast cancer, according to a study.
Researchers studied 197 breast cancer patients taking trastuzumab who had no history of heart failure. Thirty of those patients took preventive doses of beta blockers prior to taking the breast cancer drug. Beta blockers are prescribed for high blood pressure and other heart conditions.
During the 12 months of trastuzumab treatment, 14 patients developed new diagnoses of heart failure and 72 developed left ventricular dysfunction, an early sign of heart failure. Fewer patients in the beta blocker group had evidence of left ventricular dysfunction than in the group that didn't take beta blockers. No one in the beta blocker group had heart failure during the study.
Furthermore, the researchers didn't find a positive effect of another high blood pressure class of drugs, ACE inhibitors. Anthracycline or other types of chemotherapy prior to treatment with trastuzumab also didn't impact results. But smokers in the study were at significantly higher risk for left ventricular dysfunction.
Author disclosures are on the abstract.
Statements and conclusions of study authors that are presented at American Heart Association scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect association policy or position. The association makes no representation or warranty as to their accuracy or reliability. The association receives funding primarily from individuals; foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific association programs and events. The association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and device corporations are available at www.heart.org/corporatefunding.
NR11-1137 (Sessions11/Sunday News Tip)
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