5-fluorouracil induced cardiotoxicity in albino rats

Since 1975, many cases of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) associated cardiotoxicity have been described in the literature. A histopathological study of 5-FU induced cardiotoxicity was performed on 50 Swiss albino rats. Multiple interstitial myocardial hemorrhages, multifocal myofibre necroses, inflammatory reaction, vascular changes, valvulitis and pericarditis have been noted especially in the left heart ventricles of rats under study. The mechanism of 5-FU associated cardiotoxicity is controversial. A probable mechanism has been proposed; it explains the endothelial damage leading to extravasation of the drug containing blood into myocardium resulting in myofibre necroses and inflammatory reaction.