# Risk Factors Influencing Right and Left Ventricular Variables Assessed with Gated Cadmium–Zinc–Telluride Equilibrium Radionuclide Angiocardiography in Oncology Patients

## TL;DR

This study shows that risk factors for left heart issues also affect the right heart in cancer patients, except for atrial fibrillation.

## Contribution

The study reveals that right ventricular function is impacted by risk factors traditionally associated with left ventricular dysfunction in oncology patients.

## Key findings

- Previous oncological therapy was linked to reduced right ventricular volumes and stroke volume.
- Coronary heart disease was associated with higher right ventricular ejection fraction.
- Diabetes was linked to lower right ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes.

## Abstract

Background: Left ventricular ejection fraction remains the primary focus in cardiac monitoring for oncology patients undergoing potentially cardiotoxic chemotherapy, while right ventricular function is seldom examined. This study evaluates how established risk factors for left ventricular dysfunction affect right ventricular function. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 1770 patients undergoing cadmium–zinc–telluride equilibrium radionuclide angiocardiography before chemotherapy. Patients were categorized based on risk factors for left ventricular dysfunction—diabetes (DM), atrial fibrillation (AF), coronary heart disease (CHD), and previous oncological therapy—and compared to controls using independent t-tests. Results: Patients with previous oncological therapy exhibited a significantly lower right ventricular end-diastolic volume (RVEDV) (mean difference: −4.4 mL/m2, 95% CI: −6.1 to −2.7, p < 0.001), lower right ventricular end-systolic volume (RVESV) (−2.3 mL/m2, 95% CI: −3.4 to −1.2, p < 0.001), and lower right ventricular stroke volume (RVSV) (−2.1 mL/m2, 95% CI: −3 to −1.2, p < 0.001). In patients with CHD, there was a higher right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) (3.0 mL/m2, 95% CI: 0.8 to 5.2, p < 0.01), whereas patients with DM had lower RVEDV (−5.1 mL/m2, 95% CI: −9.2 to −1, p < 0.05) and RVESV (−3.0 mL/m2, 95% CI: −5.5 to −0.4, p < 0.05). No ventricular variables differed from the control group among patients with AF. Conclusions: Risk factors known to affect the left ventricle also impacted the right ventricle, with the exception of AF.