title: A retrospective study of cardiotoxicities induced by 5-fluouracil (5-FU) and 5-FU based chemotherapy regimens in Pakistani adult cancer patients at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Center.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study cardiotoxicities, especially bradycardia in cancer patients treated with 5-Fluouracil and 5-Fluouracil based chemotherapy regimens in Pakistani population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data was extracted from the medical records of all diagnosed cancer patients at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center registered between January 2002 and December 2004 receiving 5- Fluouracil based chemotherapy regimens. The data was analysed retrospectively, including electrocardiogram and cardiac markers. Pearson's Correlation coefficient was calculated to see any possible correlation between 5-Fluouracil alone and 5-Fluouracil based regimens and cardiotoxicity, and other variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Symptomatic cardiotoxicity was observed in 60 (19.93%) out of 301 patients whose cases were part of the study. Bradycardia was the most common cardiotoxicity and was observed in 36 (11.96%) patients. Nine (2.99%) mortalities were also observed. The incidence of cardiotoxicity was not significantly different between the patients with and without pre-existing cardiovascular disease (p = 0.095) and having negative correlation - 0.305. Cardiotoxicities were more common with Continuous Infusion (CI) of 5-Fluouracil, radiotherapy concurrent with 5-Fluouracil and when 5-Fluouracil was used in combination with Cisplatinum (CDDP).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cardiotoxicities were more prevalent when 5-Fluouracil was used along with concurrent radiotherapy and with Cisplatinum and when administered in continuous infusion pattern. Hence, 5-Fluouracil and 5-Fluouracil based chemotherapy regimens cause cardiotoxicities, especially bradycardia, in a significant number of cancer patients in Pakistani population.
authors: Department of Adult Oncology/Hematology, National Guard King Khalid Hospital, KAMC-WR, Jeddah, KSA. mansoorskm@yahoo.com
authors: Mansoor Ahmed
authors: MA
authors: Khan
authors: Nehal
authors: N
authors: Masood
authors: Nawazishi
authors: N
authors: Husain
authors: Bashir
authors: B
authors: Ahmad
authors: Tahir
authors: T
authors: Aziz
authors: Anjum
authors: A
authors: Naeem
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D005472:Fluorouracil