Anthracycline Chemotherapy-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review.

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION: This review identifies specific cardiotoxicity related to anthracycline chemotherapy, specific risk factors related to increased anthracycline chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity, and underlying mechanisms of action of anthracycline chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity. LITERATURE SEARCH: PubMed®, CINAHL®, Embase®, and Web of Science were searched in May 2018 using keywords related to heart diseases, anthracycline chemotherapy, and breast cancer. DATA EVALUATION: Data were extracted, and study quality was assessed according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. SYNTHESIS: 1,117 articles were identified through the literature search. After a review of the abstracts and articles, 15 clinical studies were identified for the final analysis by using exclusion and inclusion criteria. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Nurses should recognize the critical elements for prevention and early detection of anthracycline chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity.