Perioperative complications in patients with anthracycline chemotherapeutic agents.

The anaesthetic records of 68 patients ranging in age from 0.5 to 22 years were reviewed to determine the incidence of perioperative cardiovascular complications in patients with a history of anthracycline drug therapy. One hundred and eleven anaesthetics were retrospectively reviewed and seven cardiovascular complications (hypotension) were identified for an incidence of 6.3 per cent. Of these, only two could be definitely attributed to perioperative myocardial dysfunction. Both of these patients had a history of congestive heart failure. Three of four patients with a history of congestive heart failure developed complications. In evaluating possible preoperative predictions of perioperative cardiovascular complications, only a history of congestive heart failure bore a statistical significant relationship. There was no relationship between anaesthetic technique and perioperative cardiovascular complications. Two additional cardiovascular complications occurred more than 48 hours postoperatively and their significance is discussed.