5-Fuorouracil cardiotoxicity

Tumori. 1979 Aug 31;65(4):487-95. doi: 10.1177/030089167906500410.

Abstract

Two cases of 5-fluorouracil cardiotoxicity, resulting in one patient in myocardial infarction, are described. A review of the literature confirms that cardiotoxicity is a rare but genuine complication of 5-fluorouracil treatment; the cardiotoxic effect seems to range from mild angina without persistent electrocardiographic changes to severe myocardial infarction. No factors predictive of this complication were identified. The authors therefore feel it is advisable to stop 5-fluorouracil treatment when precordial pain occurs, even if the ECG (after angina) is normal, since angina can in some cases result in myocardial infarction.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Angina Pectoris / chemically induced*
  • Angina Pectoris / diagnosis
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / adverse effects*
  • Heart / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Infarction / chemically induced*
  • Myocardial Infarction / diagnosis

Substances

  • Fluorouracil