[Study on cardiac toxicity in acute promyelocyte leukemia treatment of arsenic trioxide intravenous infusion in general dose].
OBJECTIVE
To study the cardiac toxicity of arsenic trioxide (As(2)O(3)).


METHODS
To investigate and analyze the probable mechanisms of cardiac toxicity of As(2)O(3) by dynamic monitoring of clinical manifestations, basal cardiac rate and electrocardiographic data of acute promyelocyte leukemia (APL) patients during As(2)O(3) therapy. The instant change of the action potential, the I(Ca-L) and I(k) of single cardiac myocyte of guinea pig was also observed with patch clamp dynamically.


RESULTS
Approximately 71.4% of the 28 cases of APL showed cardiac toxic reaction in different degree in the first week after As(2)O(3) intravenous infusion in general dose, mainly expressing rapid heart rate or prolonged QT interval. As(2)O(3) could prolong the action potential duration from (563.0 +/- 55.8) ms to (737.7 +/- 131.7) ms (P < 0.05) and increased the I(Ca-L) and I(k) of single cardiac myocyte of guinea pig in vitro.


CONCLUSIONS
As(2)O(3) intravenous infusion in general therapeutic dose can cause tachycardia and prolong QT interval in some of the APL patients. The probable mechanism of these side-effects may be due to instant involvement of ionic channel of cardiac myocyte.
Zhou
Jin
J
The Third of Internal Medicine, The First Hospital of Haerbin Medical University, Haerbin 150001, China. Jinzhou@lycos.com
Meng
Ran
R
Wang
Wei
W
Lü
Cheng-fang
CF
Yang
Bao-fen
BF
D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide; D001152:Arsenicals / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000187:drug effects; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D015473:Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D010087:Oxides / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001152:Arsenicals; D015220:Calcium Channels; D010087:Oxides; D000077237:Arsenic Trioxide