Effects of Rituxin on the heart

[Grandma43]

I am a 66 year old female who completed 6 rounds of R+CHOP for  Stage 4 Follicular Lymphoma in April 2009.  In April 2010 I began experiencing shortness of breath.  A chest xray revealed an enlarged heart and the follow up echocardiagram indicates I have decreased left ventricle functioning.  It is felt that the heart problem is from the Adriamyacin (part of the chemo regimine).
In June and Dec of 09 (after chemo) I underwent 4 weekly sessions of Rituxin Maintenance.  I am supposed to have
two more sessions this year.
Is continuing on with the Rituxin Mantenance program going to cause further damage to my heart?  The oncologist
says the literature available does not indicate that Rituxin by itself is harmful for the heart.  What would be your advice?
In all other aspects I have been very healthy even during the chemo.  Currently in full remission.

[Cleveland Clinic]

I am not certain that rituximab is cardiotoxic, but certainly adriamycin is. But you need to take this chemotherapy to keep the lymphoma in check, so I would suggest that you get routine ( yearly) echocardiograms or earlier if you develop sympotms of congestive heart failure, to document any decreases in ejection fraciton.

[Grandma43]

I am not convinced that I NEED Rituxin to keep the Lymphoma in check.  Many folks have had several years of remission without Rituxin maintenance.  Further research on my part has
also found out that Rituxin CAN effect heart rate and I have been told that the type of heart condition I have is prone to bringing on arrythmias.  I'm really in a quandry.