Cardiotoxicity of 5-fluorouracil in patients with gastrointestinal cancer.

Abstract

689 Background: 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a agent of chemotherapy that has been associated with cardiotoxicity infrequently. The reports shown incidence of clinically apparent 5-FU cardiotoxicity in 1.6% for patients receiving 5-FU alone or in combination with another agents. Methods: We investigated the clinical characteristics of 5-FU cardiotoxicity in patients with gastrointestinal cancer treated in instituto nacional de enfermedades neoplasicas (INEN) Lima - Peru between October 2009 and October 2010. Results: Between October 2009 and October 2010, were evaluated 240 cases with gastrointestinal cancer treated with 5-FU alone or plus combinations with another chemotherapy agent, 8 cases (3.3%) had cardiotoxicity. 37.5 % had history of cardiovascular disease, 3 patients had a history of hypertension and 1 patient diabetes mellitus plus hypertension. 50% (4 patients ) had normal EKG prior to treatment, 25% (2 patients) had no EKG, In 12.5% (1patient) had sinus tachycardia and another patient had ventricular extrasystoles were detected. After chemotherapy infusion 75% (6) had changes in the EKG. In 8 patients was observed as the main symptom chest pain with radiation to left arm or upper back, without elevated cardiac enzymes. 87.5% (7 patients ) had symptoms after 6 pm. And the duration of symptoms was 48 hours in 62.5% (5 patients), 12.5% (1patient ) in 24 hours and 6 hours in 12.5% (1 patient). One patient died of acute heart failure and had history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus and received the combination cisplatin - 5-FU. Conclusions: The eight cases reports confirm the potential cardiotoxicity of 5-FU and argues the need for cardiovascular assessment by a specialist before the start of treatment in addition to cardiac monitoring in patients during treatment, especially in patients with risk factors especially in the first cycle, women and at night. The mechanism of 5-FU cardiotoxicity is not fully elucidated. Coronary spasm is the most accepted hypothesis.