Relationship between doxorubicin-induced ECG changes and myocardial alterations in rats

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the dose- and time-dependence of the effect displayed by doxorubicin (DXR) on the electrocardiogram (ECG) and to establish the relationship between structural alterations of the myocardium and ECG changes in rats administered DXR, at a dose of 1.5 or 3.0 mg/kg, every 3 days for a total of three administrations. The most interesting findings consisted of a dose-dependent, but reversible prolongation of the QRS complex, and in a dose-dependent and progressive irreversible increase in QaT and, in particular, in SaT duration. Furthermore, animals treated with the higher DXR dose showed a slight increase in serum K+ concentration and a significant decrease in serum Ca2+ levels. A good correlation was found between the morphologic score indicating the degree of observed tissue damage and SaT prolongation. These results therefore support the usefulness of measuring this ECG parameter for monitoring the development of DXR-induced cardiotoxicity in rats.