Changes of blood viscosity in pateints treated with 5-fluorouracil : A link to cardiotoxicity?

• Abstract  Cardiotoxicity is a serious but relatively unknown side-effect of treatment with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). The underlying mechanism of 5-FU cardiotoxicity has not been defined. The aim of the present study was to determine whether hemorheological factors might in part explain 5-FU cardiotoxicity. Changes of blood and plasma viscosity, fibrinogen and hematocrit were studied in 11 patients treated by 5-FU. The study showed a decrease in blood and plasma viscosity during treatment with 5-FU, probably caused by a decrease of plasma fibrinogen. Reversible cardiotoxic effects were demonstrated in four patients.

Keyword

Cardiotoxicity; Blood viscosity; Fluorouracil; Head and neck neoplasms; Drug therapy

MEDICINE

MEDICIN

Biomedicinsk vetenskap

Biomedical Sciences

Vårdvetenskap

Caring Science

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)