Cardiac Function Assessment for Patients Receiving Herceptin Therapy

As part of wider direct access services, Echotech receives referrals from two oncology departments to monitor cardiac function in those patients receiving Herceptin therapy.

In addition to the documented clinical benefits that have been proven with Herceptin there is also evidence to show that in a minority of patients receiving treatment (particularly in conjunction with anthracyclines) there is an observed detrimental effect on heart function , in particular left ventricular (LV) function.

The British Society of Echocardiography (BSE) has produced a statement regarding the evaluation of LV function for patients being considered for or receiving Herceptin therapy. Echotech delivers a quality service in line with the BSE guideline to provide consistent and accurate assessment of LV function (including an ejection fraction) using the modified biplane Simpson’s method.

Currently the majority of all echo studies carried out on patients due to receive, or on Herceptin are performed in the outpatient hospital setting. Clearly this involves the patient having to routinely travel to a tertiary/large district general hospital. By carrying out these routine echos in the community the number of hospital visits are reduced greatly, and the referral/report relationship is also streamlined, reducing delays in treatment.