[Cardiac side effects of 5-fluorouracil]

Dtsch Med Wochenschr. 1990 Apr 20;115(16):618-21. doi: 10.1055/s-2008-1065055.
[Article in German]

Abstract

In four patients (a 54-year-old man and three women aged 57, 60 and 65 years, respectively) with colorectal carcinoma and no obvious cardiac abnormality anginal symptoms and ECG changes occurred during chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil at a dose of 400 and 600 mg/m2. The ECG changes consisted of descending ST depressions with preterminally negative T waves, terminally negative T waves, ventricular extrasystoles and sinus tachycardia with intermittent atrial fibrillation. The signs first appeared between the second and fourth day of treatment; in two patients they improved with glyceryl trinitrate. A few days after 5-fluorouracil had last been administered all ECG changes had disappeared. The causes of cardiotoxicity of the drug remain unknown.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / chemically induced
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / administration & dosage
  • Fluorouracil / adverse effects*
  • Heart / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Fluorouracil