The goal of this systematic analysis is to provide a comprehensive review of the current cardiac magnetic resonance data on microvascular obstruction (MVO) and intramyocardial hemorrhage (IMH). Data related to the association of MVO and IMH in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) with left ventricular (LV) function, volumes, adverse LV remodeling, and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were critically analyzed. MVO is associated with a lower ejection fraction, increased ventricular volumes and infarct size, and a greater risk of MACE. Late MVO is shown to be a stronger prognostic marker for MACE and cardiac death, recurrent MI, congestive heart failure/heart failure hospitalization, and follow-up LV end-systolic volumes than early MVO. IMH is associated with LV remodeling and MACE on pooled analysis, but because of limited data and heterogeneity in study methodology, the effects of IMH on remodeling require further investigation.

Some chemotherapeutic agents cause cardiotoxic effects including reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and occasionally congestive heart failure. Anthracyclines and HER2 monoclonal antibodies are common offenders, but clinical practice data on LVEF changes, risk factors and acute recovery is lacking. We retrospectively examined the electronic medical record at an academic medical center for receipt of anthracyclines and/or trastuzumab from 2000 to 2013 in cancer patients. Patient characteristics and serial LVEF assessments were collected. Patients with and without LVEF decline were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis. A total of 549 patients were identified with anthracycline/trastuzumab use and 216 had multiple LVEF assessments. Only 27 of the 216 patients who had multiple LVEF assessments at multiple occasions suffered a clinically significant LVEF fall (12.5 %), and symptomatic CHF was rare (0.5 %). Compared to unaffected patients, those with a fall in LVEF were more likely to have hypertension, hyperlipidemia or coronary artery disease (CAD). Concomitant trastuzumab and anthracycline use was a risk factor (36 vs 9.5 % for anthracycline alone, p < 0.001). The median time from start of chemotherapy to reduced LVEF was 202 days (5–3008). On multivariate analysis, hypertension and use of trastuzumab remained independent predictors of LVEF fall. Acute recovery in LVEF was observed in 44 % of patients. LVEF changes from cancer therapies are frequent and hard to predict. Hypertension, hyperlipidemia and CAD are associated with LVEF decline. Acute recovery of LVEF is observed in those experiencing treatment-related cardiotoxicity. Attention to timely interruption of cardiotoxic chemo is recommended.

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