Adriamycin induced alterations in canine Purkinje fiber action potential

To study the electrophysiologic effects of adriamycin, transmembrane action potential characteristics of canine purkinje fibers were analyzed. Adriamycin significantly (p less than 0.05) prolonged action potential duration and refractory period but did not significantly alter resting membrane potential, action potential amplitude, dV/dt max and threshold for stimulation. Furthermore adriamycin effects were not reversible 20 minutes after the drug had been 'washed out'. These data indicate that adriamycin has significant cardiac electrophysiology effects that may account for its toxicity in man and that these effects are not quickly reversible.