Logo Medical Science Monitor

Call: +1.631.470.9640
Mon - Fri 10:00 am - 02:00 pm EST

Contact Us

Logo Medical Science Monitor Logo Medical Science Monitor Logo Medical Science Monitor

01 January 1999

Disturbed cardiac rhythm as a manifestation of cardiotoxicity of individual doses of anthracycline cytostatics

Vladimir Kovcin

Med Sci Monit 1999; 5(1): CR32-39 :: ID: 505204

Abstract

Anthracyclines are cytotoxic drugs featuring cardiotoxicity as one of most prominent undesirable effects, which occurs in both its acute or cumulative from. The acute from of cardiotoxicity has been subject of much less concern although some sudden deaths have been reported during anthracycline administration (Wortman et al. Cancer 44; 1979). The present study involved 36 patients with soft tissue sarcomata, 28 with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, 23 with nasopharyngeal carcinomas, 5 with carcinoma of the lungs, and 7 breast carcinoma patients (99 patients in total) who were treated with anthracyclines. Zorubicin was given to 40 patients, doxorubicin to 21, epidoxorubicin to 20, adn mitoxantron to 18 patients. Control groups were made of 29 patients who did not receive any anthracyclines and those who were treated with anthracyclines for the first time. In addition, as a third group, each patient was his/hers own control. All patients were subject to continuing ECG monitoring by using a Delmar Avionics Stratscan holter ECG monitor. In the course of intravenous infusion of anthracyclines, irregularities of heartbeat occurred in the form of sinus tachycardia and atrial (AEBs) and ventricular ectopic beats (VEBs). In relation to the control, the number of VEBs increased to level III of the Lown's scale while administering zorubicin, and then receded after the infusion. The number of AEBs remained steady or even increased for a certain while after administration of the drug. These irregularities were most prominent during the first administration of anthracycline. However, all registered changes are reversible and neither make a hindrance to therapy, nor necessitate cessation of anthracycline administration. A sporadic occurrence of VEBs at level III according to the Lown's scale point out to a possible occurrence of more severe rhythm disorders.

Keywords: doses, mode of administration, Holter-ECG, cardiotoxicity, Anthracyclines

Add Comment 0 Comments

Editorial

01 March 2024 : Editorial  

Editorial: First Regulatory Approvals for CRISPR-Cas9 Therapeutic Gene Editing for Sickle Cell Disease and Transfusion-Dependent β-Thalassemia

Dinah V. Parums

DOI: 10.12659/MSM.944204

Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e944204

0:00

In Press

18 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research  

Sexual Dysfunction in Women After Tibial Fracture: A Retrospective Comparative Study

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.944136  

0:00

21 Feb 2024 : Clinical Research  

Potential Value of HSP90α in Prognosis of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943049  

22 Feb 2024 : Review article  

Differentiation of Native Vertebral Osteomyelitis: A Comprehensive Review of Imaging Techniques and Future ...

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943168  

23 Feb 2024 : Clinical Research  

A Study of 60 Patients with Low Back Pain to Compare Outcomes Following Magnetotherapy, Ultrasound, Laser, ...

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943732  

Most Viewed Current Articles

16 May 2023 : Clinical Research  

Electrophysiological Testing for an Auditory Processing Disorder and Reading Performance in 54 School Stude...

DOI :10.12659/MSM.940387

Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e940387

0:00

17 Jan 2024 : Review article  

Vaccination Guidelines for Pregnant Women: Addressing COVID-19 and the Omicron Variant

DOI :10.12659/MSM.942799

Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e942799

0:00

14 Dec 2022 : Clinical Research  

Prevalence and Variability of Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E in Patients with Elevated Tryptase Levels

DOI :10.12659/MSM.937990

Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937990

0:00

01 Jan 2022 : Editorial  

Editorial: Current Status of Oral Antiviral Drug Treatments for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Hospitalized Pa...

DOI :10.12659/MSM.935952

Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935952

0:00

Your Privacy

We use cookies to ensure the functionality of our website, to personalize content and advertising, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. If you allow us to do so, we also inform our social media, advertising and analysis partners about your use of our website, You can decise for yourself which categories you you want to deny or allow. Please note that based on your settings not all functionalities of the site are available. View our privacy policy.

Medical Science Monitor eISSN: 1643-3750
Medical Science Monitor eISSN: 1643-3750