Preliminary echocardiographic and polygraphic evaluation of cardiac toxicity of 4'-epi-doxorubicin.

Data recorded by ECG, poly ECG, and echocardiography in 101 cancer patients treated with 4'-epi-doxorubicin are reported and compared with those previously obtained in a comparable group of 78 patients treated with doxorubicin. 4'-Epi-doxorubicin was administered by i.v. route in doses ranging from 50 to 90 mg/m2 in a three-weekly regimen; the maximum cumulative dose was 630 mg/m2. The results obtained demonstrate that this new antitumor anthracycline develops a lower acute cardiotoxic effect and suggest that 4'-epi-doxorubicin is endowed with a reduced chronic cardiotoxicity as compared to doxorubicin.