Signal-averaged electrocardiography in survivors of Hodgkin's disease treated with and without dexrazoxane
Mladosievicova, B.; Foltinová, A.; Petrásová, H.; Bernadic, M.; Hulín, I.
Neoplasma 48(1): 61-65
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-2685 PMID: 11327539 Document Number: 529199
Doxorubicin is one of the most effective anticancer drug, but its usefulness is limited by the risk of developing cardiomyopathy, cardiac dysfunction and ventricular arrhythmias. Dexrazoxane is used to protect against doxorubicin cardiotoxicity. It is uncertain whether the dexrazoxane-mediated cardioprotective effect will be reflected in electrophysiological properties of the heart. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the occurrence of frequency-domain signal-averaged electrocardiographic (SAECG) abnormalities of the QRS complex and the initial ST segment in patients treated with and without dexrazoxane. Thirty children and young adults 2 months - 15 years after completion of doxorubicin-containing therapy for Hodgkin's disease were evaluated with SAECG. Patients from group I (n = 13) received combined therapy with doxorubicin and dexrazoxane (DOX/DZX), patients from group II (n = 17) received doxorubicin without dexrazoxane (DOX). Using fast Fourier transformation within the QRS complex and the initial ST segment, area ratio (AR) values 40-100/0-40 Hz were calculated. Significant differences in these frequency parameters in the QRS complex between DOX/DZX group and DOX group (19.45 +- 12.72 vs 46.18 +- 43.06; p = 0.03) might indicate protective effect of dexrazoxane on electrophysiological myocardial properties.