title: [Fatal myocardiopathy due to adriamycin in spite of a reportedly non-dangerous cumulative dose].
abstract: We report a case that illustrates the risk of major, irreversible heart failure despite theoretically safe cumulative doses of adriamycin. We discuss risk factors for cardiotoxicity, predictive methods among which echocardiography is the most useful, and preventive measures. Data are still lacking concerning long term consequences on cardiac function. Until less cardiotoxic adriamycin derivatives become available, modifications in the treatment regimen can be proposed, including a tolerance test, lower doses approximating 20 mg per week instead of 60 mg every three weeks, and administration by continuous infusion through a deep catheter or a pump as cardiotoxicity seems more dependent on drug level peaks than on total dose. These measures should reduce the hazards of adriamycin, a drug that also has potent antimitotic properties.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Battin
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Richir
authors.forename: N B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Bui
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Hehunstre
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abecassis
mesh_terms: D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005266:Femoral Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D004317:Doxorubicin
vernacular_title: A propos d'une myocardiopathie mortelle à l'adriamycine malgré une dose cumulative réputée non dangereuse.