Clinical and Electrocardiography Changes in Patients Treated with Capecitabine

Koca D., Salman T., ÜNEK İ. T., ÖZTOP İ., ELLİDOKUZ H., Eren M., ...More

CHEMOTHERAPY, vol.57, no.5, pp.381-387, 2011 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 57 Issue: 5
  • Publication Date: 2011
  • Doi Number: 10.1159/000331645
  • Journal Name: CHEMOTHERAPY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.381-387
  • Keywords: Capecitabine, Heart, Side effects
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Background: We aimed to identify the incidence of cardiac events with capecitabine treatment. Methods: The study included 52 patients (median age 59 years) with cancer treated at our Medical Oncology Clinic between 2009 and 2010. Cardiac events from capecitabine treatment were classified into 4 groups: cardiac symptoms, physical signs, electrocardiography (ECG) findings, and severe adverse cardiac effects. Results: The patients received either single-agent capecitabine or a combination chemotherapy including capecitabine. After initiation of capecitabine, 18 patients (34.6%) had new onset cardiovascular symptoms, 6 (11.5%) had new onset physical signs and 17 (32.6%) had new onset ECG findings. New onset ECG findings included prolonged corrected QT interval (n = 10, 19.2%) and prolonged PR interval (n = 3, 5.8%). Severe adverse capecitabine-induced cardiac side effects were observed in 5.8% of the patients, but none of the patients had myocardial infarction or died. Conclusion: Cardiac events are not rare during capecitebine treatment and patients should be followed closely to avoid cardiac morbidity and mortality. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel