Abnormal electrocardiogram during chemotherapy of anthracycline in patients with malignant hematology

Bi Lei; Cao Danyang; Guo Zhi

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-4055.2017.11.18

Abstract：Objective To observe the abnormal changes of electrocardiogram (ECG) during chemotherapy of anthracycline in patients with malignant hematology. Methods The patients with malignant hematology (n=80, male 49, female 31 and aged from 20 to 77) were chosen from the Chinese PLA Army General Hospital from Jan. 2011 to Jan. 2016. The patients were divided, according to occurrence of cardiotoxicity during follow-up period, into case group and control group (each n=40). The anthracycline was administrated in the first-ling treatment of initial inducing chemotherapy, and the patients were given ECG examinations before and during chemotherapy. A regular follow-up was carried out for at least 1 y after chemotherapy finished, and cases of cardiotoxicity were counted. Results The difference in sex and disease distribution had no statistical significance between case group and control group (all P>0.05). The percentage of patients≥60 years old was higher in case group than that in control group (67.5% vs. 30.0%, P<0.05). All patients in case group suffered from cardiotoxicity during follow-up period, and there were 22 (55.0%) with abnormal ECG, 10 (25.0%) with ST-T-segment changes, 8 (20.0%) with abnormal T wave, 3 (7.5%) with nodal tachycardia, and 1 (2.5%) with degree I atrioventricular block (AVB). There were no patients suffered from cardiotoxicity in control group, and there were 4 (10.0%) with abnormal ECG, 2 (5.0%) with ST-T-segment changes, 1 (2.5%) with abnormal T wave, and 1 (2.5%) with nodal tachycardia. The percentage of patients with changed ECG was higher in case group than that in control group (P<0.05). Conclusion When patients with malignant hematology are treated with anthracycline, the abnormal changes of ECG may be related to cardiotoxicity, and ECG should be closely monitored.