Evolution of cardiopulmonary functional capacity in non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients undergoing antitumoural treatment

Abstract

Introduction. Cardiovascular complications of antitumour treatments are a growing concern, significantly impacting morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. Cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) offers valuable insights into the effects of cancer treatments on physical performance, but it remains underutilized in optimizing care and survivorship. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of cancer treatments on cardiovascular health and physical performance using CPET. Material and methods. The study included 127 participants with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The patients were randomly selected from the Hematology Departments of the Oncology Institute in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova. The patients with known ischemic or myocardial disease, advanced valvular pathology, or signs of advanced heart failure were excluded, as well as patients who had previously undergone antitumour treatment. The patients who signed the informed consent and met the inclusion criteria were further evaluated in the Institute of Cardiology. The evaluation included echocardiography and CPET during two visits: before treatment initiation (visit 1) and at six months follow-up (visit 2). Results. The study revealed a significant decline in cardiopulmonary functional capacity in patients undergoing treatment for NHL over six months. The key findings included reduced exercise tolerance, a decline in peak oxygen uptake (peak VO₂), and decreased ventilatory efficiency, despite stable cardiovascular parameters like heart rate and blood pressure. Conclusions. The results of our study underscore the negative impact of NHL treatment on cardiorespiratory performance and highlight the need for strategies to mitigate these effects and improve patient outcomes.