Herceptin and heart function

Hi Julie /  Charlieandlola

Normal LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction) is between 55% and 70%. The test is a measure the heart muscles strength and the figure is the % ammount of blood in the left chamber that is pumped by the heart in one heartbeat in real time. I was allowed in with J when she had her MUGA scan and onscreen I was actually watching the scan of her heart working - clever stuff eh...

Herceptin can gradually lower this % figure - the cut off figure is around 50% to 52%. If it gets this low they will usually give you a break from Herceptin for a few weeks to allow the levels to rise back a bit.  The reason the cut off level is just over 50% is any lower than 45% and the heart may not recover fully leaving you with lifelong damage.

When J started Herceptin her 18 x herceptin her level was 67%. Halfway through this had dropped to 52% and she was given a 3 week break - Her levels came back up to 58% and stayed around this level until her last Herceptin. I'm not sure if they lowered her dosage slightly after her break though ?

It is fairly common the need a break towards the end or not fully complete the course.

Hope this puts your mind at rest a bit - G n' J

Hello

Thanks for your reply, I see that they are saying 6 months herceptin is as effective as 12 months now so if I get to the 6 month mark I will feel better about it.

Thanks again 

Julie x