Detection by radionuclide ventriculography of functional changes of the myocardium in patients with testicular tumors after chemotherapy

Radionuclide ventriculography performed in a group of 26 patients with testicular tumors treated with the combinations PVB (cisplatin, vinblastine, bleomycin) and PAV (cisplatin, adriamycin, VP-16) showed in both groups at a virtually unchanged ejection fraction an increased diastolic and residual volume of the left ventricle, compensated by an increased systolic volume and a higher heart rate. The functional changes develop more slowly after administration of the combination PAV and were found to persist in both groups for more than 2 years after termination of therapy. These changes do not become clinically manifest in patients with good myocardial function before the onset of therapy, yet in patients with an a priori changed myocardial function they may develop into therapy complications. (author). 1 fig., 19 refs