Sudden death during doxorubicin administration

Three patients are described who either died suddenly or had severe, life-threatening arrhythmias during or immediately after doxorubicin administration. Since doxorubicin and daunorubicin administration is known to be associated with acute EKG abnormalities, the acute decompensation in these patients appeared to be caused by the administration of these agents. The importance of careful observation of patients receiving doxorubicin, because of the possibility of acute cardiac arrhythmias, is stressed.