Prazosin in acute anthracyclene cardiomyopathy.

A 32-year-old woman with a 14-month history of acute lymphoblastic leukemia received 300 mg/sq m of doxorubicin. Shortly after the last course of therapy, congestive failure developed that was attributed to anthracyclene cardiomyopathy. Three weeks later, an acute septic episode was complicated by hypotension and low cardiac output. Adequate blood pressure and cardiac output were restored with a combined intravenous infusion of dopamine hydrochloride and nitroglycerine. Within 24 hours, oral therapy with prazosin and digitalis was initiated, and two days later, the intravenous infusions could be discontinued. Acute anthracyclene cardiomyopathy can be successfully treated with a combination of oral inotropic and vasodilating agents.