To compare the standard administration protocol to a new administration (1 mg/kg twice a week) to see if dilated cardiomyopathy would still occur but with reduced mortality.Thirty SD rats were divided into three groups: normal control saline group (control), low dose group (1 mg/kg twice a week;Dox 1), and high dose group (2 mg/kg once a week;Dox 2).Results The mortality rate for Dox 2 group was 50% compared to 0% for control and 20% for Dox 1 (both p<0.05).As shown by echocardiography, both Dox groups exhibited significant chamber dilatation, with increased end-diastolic and end-systolic dimensions of left ventricle (LV) as well as reduced fractional shortening and ejection fraction (all p<0.05 vs.control).Plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentrations were significantly increased in both Dox regimens.Histology revealed vacuolization, intracytoplasmic granulation, necrosis and interstitial fibrosis in LVs ofboth Dox groups.By 18F-fluoro-deoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (18FDG-PET) myocardial metabolism imaging revealed significant decreasedstandarduptakevalueof 2-deoxy-2-(18F) fluoro-D-glucoseuptake,demonstrating that myocardial viability was decreased to the same extent in Dox 1 and Dox 2 groups.Conclusions Doxorubicin given at both regimens induced dilated cardiomyopathy, while administration at the lower dose reduced mortality rate.