Tissue toxicity in experimental isolated perfusion with adriamycin.

Adriamycin is known as an antineoplastic agent with a broad spectrum of activity for human malignancies. To determine the highest tolerable concentrations of adriamycin in isolated perfusion of the extremities the hind legs of 12 dogs were isolated in an extracorporeal circuit and perfused under normothermic conditions. Dosages of about 10 mg/l perfused extremity were well tolerated by the animals, and lower concentrations did not result in any side effects. However, in most cases, dosages higher than 10 mg adriamycin/l extremity volume induced severe edema, pain, and histological changes.