The Role of Selvester Score on 12-Lead ECG in Determination of Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction Among Patients Receiving Trastuzumab Therapy

Abstract

Objective: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Trastuzumab is an effective breast cancer agent. The most significant side effect of trastuzumab is left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Selvester score calculated from 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) has a proven accuracy in predicting left ventricular infarct area and scar volume. We aimed to determine its role in detection of left ventricular systolic dysfunction among trastuzumab-treated breast cancer patients.

Methods: A total of 60 trastuzumab-treated patients were retrospectively included. The patients were grouped into two groups with trastuzumab-induced left ventricular systolic dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <55%) (Group 1) and without (Group 2). The left ventricular systolic dysfunction group was divided into two subgroups: LVEF <50% and (Group 1a) and LVEF 50-54% (Group 1b). The Selvester score was compared between Group 1 and Group 2, and between Group 1a, Group 1b, and Group 2. The predictive role of Selvester score in trastuzumab-induced left ventricular systolic dysfunction was determined with univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 56.7 +/- 13.7 years. Twenty (21.1%) patients had trastuzumab-induced left ventricular systolic dysfunction. The Selvester score was similar between Group 1 and Group 2. Group 1a had a significantly greater Selvester score compared to Group 1b and Group 2 (p<0.05); however, Group 1b and Group 2 had similar Selvester scores (p>0.05). The Selvester score was significantly correlated with left ventricular systolic dysfunction in univariate analysis (r=0.189, p<0.05) but not in multivariate analysis.

Conclusion: Selvester score may be useful especially for detecting severe trastuzumab-induced left ventricular systolic dysfunction.