[Clinical study of acute cardiotoxicity of anti-cancer agents-- analysis using Holter ECG monitoring].

To investigate the features of acute cardiotoxicity caused by the anticancer agents, adriamycin (ADM), THP-adriamycin (THP), epirubicin (epi-ADM) and mitoxantrone (MIX), Holter electrocardiograms were recorded before and after administration of these drugs and some of the electrocardiographic parameters were analyzed. The heart rate tended to increase after ADM administration, but other agents had no effect. The basic rhythm was sinus rhythm in many cases except for only one case in which intermittent atrial fibrillation developed after ADM administration. These agents had no effects on the specialized conduction system. With regard to supraventricular premature beats, no increase in preexisting supraventricular premature beats was observed, but there was a slight tendency for the fresh appearance of supraventricular extrasystoles after administration of these agents. On the other hand, ventricular premature beats tended to increase in number and severity after ADM therapy. The other three agents induced no significant increase in ventricular extrasystoles. Development of ST-T changes was seen after the administration of ADM and THP, but epi-ADM and MIX produced no significant changes. In conclusion, epi-ADM and MIX were less cardiotoxic than ADM and THP.