The cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin is dose dependent and progressive, but its mechanisms remain unclear. Measures to prevent the cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin have had limited success. We report here on a patient who had received intravenous infusion of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin and developed sinus bradycardia despite the prior administration of the iron-chelating agent, dexrazoxane. The adverse effect of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin might be due to the difference in metabolic related genes for anthracyclines. Therefore, monitoring the cardiac condition of patients who receive doxorubicin treatment, even at low doses, is highly recommended.
Keywords: anthracyclines; cadiotoxicity; doxorubicin; patient monitoring; sinus bradycardia.