[Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy combined with calcium antagonist for liver metastases]

We noticed inactivation of calcium antagonists in liver and investigated treatment with combined intraarterial chemotherapy. Both verapamil (VER) and adriamycin were infused into the hepatic artery of patients with liver metastases. The serum concentration of VER in the hepatic vein was 0.325 +/- 0.203 g/ml at maximum in 11 cases receiving bolus infusion. Blood pressures, heart rates and electrocardiograms were stable. The concentration in the peripheral vein was lower (0.089 +/- 0.027 g/ml) in 4 cases receiving 3-hour continuous infusion. Five patients received more than 10 infusions, and a partial response was observed in 2 cases. A more appropriate dose and the corresponding prognosis should be studied in the future.