Cardiac examination
To determine DIC, cardiologists performed echocardiographic examinations
and electrocardiographic recordings. The patients were evaluated for
cardiovascular disease at entry (baseline), 3, 6 and 12 months during
the study. The echocardiogram was done in the University of Zimbabwe
College of Health Sciences (UZCHS) Department of Medicine and the
results were made available to the treating physician. Additional
information, such as BMI, cumulative dose of doxorubicin, co-medications
and physical performance of the patients were recorded using a
questionnaire. The endpoint were; cardiac dysfunction, as diagnosed by
the cardiologist or Left ventricular ejection fraction reduction of more
than 10% from baseline 60%.