Cardiovascular function after Stem cell Transplantation

Rationale: The disease-free survival in children undergoing stem cell
transplantation (SCT) for both malignant and non-malignant diseases has
significantly increased during last decades. Therefore, treatment-related
morbidity and long term health issues have become increasingly important as a
measurement of overall treatment outcome. Cardiovascular pathology is a
recognized side effect of treatment. In current practice, monitoring of
cardiovascular function is restricted to echocardiographic analysis, and no
specific attention is given to vascular wall integrity. CMR is a more sensitive
technology to accurately assess ventricular function and aortic stiffness.
Aortic stiffness, measured by CMR, is a known predictive marker for overall
vascular integrity and atherosclerosis. In this (pilot)study, we will us CMR to
investigate both ventricular function and aortic stiffness in children
undergoing SCT.

To study whether CMR analysisdifferences in aortic stiffness and myocardial
lipid accumulation between SCT recipients and healthy, age-matched controls

prospective observational

The burden consists of 1 CMR investigation of one hour, without administration
of contrast agent. In preparation for CMR, 6 hours fasting is required (for
adequate quantification of myocardial lipid accumulation). Prior to CMR,
participants will have the possibility to first experience CMR in a dummy-MRI
setting.
The possible direct benefit may involve more accurate information on the
ventricular function (compared to routine echocardiography. Furthermore,
follow-up schemes may be altered based on the findings of possible aortic
dysfunction.