Coronary flow velocity reserve declines after anthracycline therapy in breast cancer patients

Anthracycline therapy (ANT) is associated with cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD). Coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR) has shown prognostic utility in non-cancer cohorts but there is no data in a cardio-oncology setting. We investigated the acute effect of ANT in breast cancer patients on CFVR. 12 female breast cancer patients undergoing anthracycline therapy had pre and post anthracycline CFVR assessment. There was a significant decline in CFVR (baseline: 2.66±0.41 versus post-ANT: 2.47±0.37, p=0.016). This prospective study is the first to identify ANT related coronary physiology changes in humans. Further studies are required to determine its clinical significance.