Value of electrocardiogram and electromyography in cardiotoxicity and neurotoxicity induced by chemotherapy drugs

Abstract

Objective To investigate the value of electrocardiogram and electromyography in cardiotoxicity and neurotoxicity induced by chemotherapy drugs. Methods A total of 80 cases of breast cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, and ovarian cancer diagnosed in our hospital were included. All the patients underwent postoperative chemotherapy. Among them, 46 cases received chemotherapy with anthracycline, and 34 cases with non-anthracycline. Before and after chemotherapy, electrocardiograph (ECG) and electromyographic induction potentiometer (EMG) were used to detect the related indicators of the patients. Results The abnormal rate of electrocardiogram induced by anthracycline chemotherapy was 41.30%, which was significantly higher than that of non-anthracycline drugs (13.24%), with a statistical difference (P<0.05). The most important manifestation was the prolongation of Q-T interval. Compared with those before treatment, the standard deviation and RMS of all sinus RR interphase significantly decreased , especially in the anthracycline group (P<0.05). The total abnormal rates of motor nerve conduction velocity and sensory nerve conduction velocity after chemotherapy were 58.82% and 17.39% in the patients taking platinum-containing chemotherapy. Conclusion Platinum-containing drugs are prone to induce peripheral nerve diseases after chemotherapy, while anthracycline chemotherapy drugs are relatively toxic to heart, and the electrocardiogram abnormalities caused by them are particularly obvious. The combination of electrocardiogram and electromyography is of great significance for early prevention of toxic effects caused by chemotherapy drugs. Key words: Electrocardiogram; Electromyography; Chemotherapy; Cardiotoxicity; Neurotoxicity