Arrhythmogenic effects of doxorubicin

The article discusses the adverse arrhythmogenic effects of an antitumor drug – doxorubicin.

Doxorubicin has a significant effect on the action potentials and ion currents of cardiomyocytes, the dynamics of intracellular calcium concentration.

Oncological diseases are the leading causes of death and disability of the population, causing extremely high socio-economic damage. Among the many currently available drugs for the treatment of cancer, an important place is taken by the anthracycline antibiotic – doxorubicin. However, adverse concomitant effects on several organs and systems of the human body, in particular on the cardiovascular system, do not allow the full use of the high potential of doxorubicin`s antitumor effectiveness. Cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin is manifested in the form of electrocardiographic abnormalities and arrhythmias, degenerative cardiomyopathy and chronic heart failure. The authors consider the following arrhythmogenic effects of doxorubicin: the mechanisms of influence of doxorubicin on electrocardiographic parameters, the action potential of cardiomyocytes, cardiac ion currents and the dynamics of intracellular calcium concentration. The study and assessment of specific pathophysiological mechanisms of arrhythmogenic effects of doxorubicin is necessary for the development and justified use of cardioprotective measures.

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