Cardiac Function Evaluation in Amsa-Treated Patients

Abstract

Cardiac function was monitored by means of ECG and systolic time intervals in 13 patients submitted to treatment with 4′-(9-acridinylamino) methanesulfon-m-aniside (AMSA) without the classical reconstitution vehicle N₁N-dimethylacetamide. ECG changes were represented by flattening of T waves (100%), sporadic atrial extrasystoles (23 %), and sporadic or coupled ventricular premature beats (7.6 %). These alterations were transient and not dose related. The systolic time interval ratio, recorded at the end of infusion and 2 h after drug administration, did not change significantly from pretreatment values. Systolic time intervals recorded in 6 patients after the mean cumulative dose of 550 mg/m², and in 3 patients after the mean cumulative dose of 1000 mg/m², did not change from mean basal values. Present data failed to confirm the occurrence of a significantly cardiotoxic activity of AMSA.