Heart rate variability and baroreceptor reflex sensitivity in doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy

The clinical use of doxorubicin, an effective chemotherapeutic is hampered by the development of irreversible cardiotoxicity. Here we test comprehensive analysis of heart rate (HR) variability (HRV) for early detection of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. Experiments were conducted in adult male Wistar rats treated for 15 days with saline (CONT) or doxorubicin (DOXO, total dose 15 mg/kg, i.p.). DOXO rats exhibited cardiotoxicity and increased mortality. Thirty five days post treatment, HR variability and baro-receptor reflex sensitivity of DOXO rats were increased in respect to CONT rats, while HR entropy was reduced. The results recommend comprehensive analysis of HRV for early detection of doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy.