Keywords
Abstract
To date, the relationship between chemotherapy and arrhythmia has not been well studied. We have reviewed the existing literature in order to understand this issue in more detail. Arrhythmias have been reported as a side effect of many chemotherapy drugs. Anthracyclines are associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) in 2-10% of cases and rarely with ventricular tachycardia (VT)/fibrillation. Taxol and other antimicrotrubic drugs are safe from the point of view of proarrhythmic side effects and do not cause any permanent rhythm disturbances. Arrhythmias caused by 5-fluorouracil, including VT, are mainly of ischemic origin and usually occur in the context of a coronary spasm caused by this drug. Cisplatin, especially with intraperitoneal use, is associated with a very high frequency of AF (12-32%). Melphalan is associated with AF in 7-12% of cases, but apparently it does not cause VT. Interleukin-2 is associated with frequent arrhythmia, mainly with AF. We have studied the available data on arrhythmia caused by chemotherapy. Studies with the intended data collection and thorough analysis are necessary to establish a causal relationship between certain antitumor drugs and arrhythmia.