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Effects of folinic acid and fluorouracil chemotherapy on right ventricle func-tions as assessed with tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion.

AIM
This study aimed to investigate the effects of folinic acid and fluorouracil (bolus FUFA regimen) chemotherapy on right ventricle (RV) functions.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
Thirty-four gastrointestinal (GI) cancer patients treated with antineoplastic drugs were included the study. All participants received FUFA chemotherapy protocol for colorectal, gastric and pancreatic cancer (i.e. fluorouracil 400-425 mg/m(2) intravenous day 1-5 + folinic acid 20-25 mg/m2 intravenous day 1-5 every 28 days x6 cycles) with or without radiation therapy according to the cancer and patient status. All participants have undergone complete physical and laboratory examination and complete echocardiographic evaluation including detailed right ventricle functional evaluations before the onset of chemotherapy and 6 months after the start of treatment.


RESULTS
Mean RV thickness was 0.49 cm before chemotherapy and 0.62 cm at the end of the treatment (p=0.29). Mean tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) values were 2.08 ± 0.3 and 2.00 ± 0.39 cm, respectively (p=0.25). RV total ejection isovolumic (Tei) index related to the chemotherapy did not change significantly (0.24 and 0.29, respectively, p=0.07). Also we did not find significant chance in the RV end diastolic diameter, RV end systolic diameter, vena cava diameter on inspiration and expiration.


CONCLUSION
Bolus FUFA regimen chemotherapy does not diminish the RV functions as assessed by TAPSE and RV Tei index in GI cancer patients.