[High-frequency atrial arrhythmia induced by a cisplatin-etoposide combination]

The cardiotoxicity of cytostatic drugs reported in the literature is marked for some (adriamycin), rather rare for others. Cases of angina, infarction, and atrial arrhythmia have been reported during treatment with cisplatin. The case is reported of a 65-year-old patient with no risk factors for cardiovascular disease who had two attacks of high-frequency atrial arrhythmia during combined treatment with cisplatin and etoposide. The first attack came after the first cycle and disappeared spontaneously; the second, after the second cycle, required antiarrhythmic treatment. The potential myocardial toxicity of cisplatin, especially when combined with other potentially cardiotoxic drugs or administered after cycles of adriamycin is discussed.