ANALYSIS OF RECOVERY-TIME INDEXES IN 5-FLUOROURACIL-TREATED CANCER-PATIENTS

Based on our previous experience in doxorubicin-treated patients, in w hom we observed a significant increase of ventricular recovery time in dexes, we analyzed these noninvasive parameters of myocardium electric al instability in forty-three 5-fluorouracil-treated patients, to test the hypothesis of a mechanoelectrical disarrangement occurring in 5-f luorouracil (5FU) cardiotoxicity. All patients enrolled were studied a t the first presentation and following chemotherapy. The study showed the absence of any significant changes in recovery time indexes or in other electrocardiographic parameters. Our data suggest that 5FU does not interfere with electrical properties of myocardial fibers.