Fatal congestive heart failure following mitoxantrone treatment in two children previously treated with doxorubicin and cisplatin.

: Two children, who had received chemotherapy with doxorubicin and cisplatin for disseminated chondrosarcoma and recurrent rhabdomyosarcoma, developed congestive heart failure following treatment with mitoxantrone (DHAD); the total doses of DHAD were 128 and 90 mg/m2, respectively. The patient with chondrosarcoma had relief of his cardiac symptoms with digitalis and furosemide. The patient with rhabdomyosarcoma, whose tumor responded following treatment with DHAD, died 2 weeks after development of congestive heart failure. For patients who have received prior treatment with potentially cardiotoxic agents, administration of DHAD should be followed by careful monitoring of cardiac function.