Severe heart failure secondary to 5-fluorouracil and low-doses of folinic acid: usefulness of an intra-aortic balloon pump

Acute reversible left ventricular systolic dysfunction associated with 5-fluorouracil therapy: a rare and increasingly recognised cardiotoxicity of a commonly used drug

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is the third most common chemotherapeutic agent for treating solid cancers and the second most common to cause cardiotoxicity. We present a rare case of acute reversible severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction associated with 5-FU. A 54-year-old woman with a history of stage IV gastric cancer presented with features of transient ischaemic attack after receiving the first dose of FLOT (5-FU, leucovorin, oxaliplatin and docetaxel). During the diagnostic workup, it was found that her ejection fraction was severely reduced to 15% with features of global hypokinesis, which later improved back to 65% within 13 days. These cases challenge our current understanding of the underlying mechanisms of this cardiotoxicity. Additionally, even though the patient did not experience any cardiac symptoms, it is important to monitor these patients closely as they are at high risk for fatal complications like arrhythmia and thrombus formation.

5-FU induced cardiotoxicity: case series and review of the literature

Background

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is an antimetabolite chemotherapy used for a variety of solid tumors. It has the potential to cause a wide spectrum of cardiotoxicity, ranging from asymptomatic electrocardiographic changes to cardiomyopathy and subsequent cardiac failure. Main body of the abstract: We present two descriptive cases of new-onset severe cardiomyopathy induced by 5-FU followed by a review of the literature.

Conclusion

Our case series emphasizes the importance of early recognition of this rare complication and prompt cessation of 5-FU, as cardiac dysfunction in this context is potentially reversible.

Fluoropyrimidine-Induced Cardiotoxicity: Manifestations, Mechanisms, and Management

Fluoropyrimidines-5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and capecitabine-have been implicated as cardiotoxic chemotherapy agents. This rare, albeit potentially serious toxicity has been described in nearly four decades of case reports, case series, and in vitro modeling; however, there is a paucity in clinical trials and prospective analyses focused on cardioprotective strategies and cardiotoxic surveillance of these agents. While much attention has focused on the well-known cardiac toxicity of anthracyclines and monoclonal antibody agents such as trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidines remain one of the most common causes of chemotherapy-associated cardiotoxicity. The introduction of capecitabine, an oral prodrug of 5-FU, has made the treatment of solid tumors more convenient along with a subsequent rise in documented cardiotoxic cases. This review discusses the symptomatology, clinical manifestations, and proposed molecular mechanisms that attempt to describe the heterogeneous spectrum of fluoropyrimidine-induced cardiotoxicity. Four case examples showcasing the varied manifestations of cardiotoxicity are presented. Finally, several proposed management strategies for cardiotoxicity and post-hospital course precautions are discussed.

5-Fluorouracil-induced acute reversible heart failure not explained by coronary spasms, myocarditis or takotsubo: lessons from MRI

A 69-year-old woman presented with arterial hypotension, pulmonary oedema and a severely depressed left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 25% only 3 days after having received her first treatment for colorectal cancer with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based therapy. The ECG demonstrated widespread ST-segment depression and echocardiography showed uniform hypokinesia of all left ventricular (LV) myocardial segments without signs of regional LV ballooning. Coronary angiography was normal and the patient gained full recovery after receiving treatment with heart failure medication. Interestingly, cardiac MRI scan 9 days later showed a normal LVEF with signs of neither myocardial oedema nor necrosis. Despite the high therapeutic efficacy of 5-FU in treatment of colorectal cancer, it is associated with undesired cardiac toxicities including coronary spasms, toxic inflammation and takotsubo cardiomyopathy. However, our patient did not fulfil the diagnostic criteria for the aforementioned complications. Based on this case report, we discuss alternative mechanisms including myocardial adenosine triphosphate depletion suggested from animal experiments.

Intra-aortic balloon pump in toxic myocarditis due to aluminum phosphide poisoning

INTRODUCTION

Aluminum phosphide (ALP) is a pesticide that is highly toxic. It is a mitochondrial toxin that causes death by cardiac and metabolic toxicity. The most ominous effect is cardiac toxicity, which may range from minor electrocardiographic abnormalities to severe depression of cardiac contractility secondary to toxic myocarditis. There is no documented report of the use of Intra-aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) for toxic myocarditis from ALP poisoning, although it has been used effectively for toxic myocarditis due to other toxins.

CASE REPORT

We are reporting a young female who presented with ALP poisoning, in cardiogenic shock due to myocarditis. We used an IABP for cardio-circulatory support until the effects of ALP resolved. She is the only reported survivor of ALP poisoning, presenting with cardiogenic shock.

DISCUSSION

Several reports describe the use of IABP for cardiogenic shock due to toxic myocarditis. There is no report in the medical literature using IABP for cardiogenic shock caused by ALP toxin-induced myocarditis. Our patient presented with cardiocirculatory shock, necessitating the use of inotropes and mechanical ventilation. As she did not improve despite ventilation and maximal doses of inotropes, IABP was used for cardio-circulatory support until the effects of ALP resolved.

The spectrum of 5-fluorouracil cardiotoxicity

Cardiotoxicity is a rare but serious complication of 5-fluorouracil therapy. Coronary vasospasm and, less frequently, acute myocarditis have been identified as underlying mechanisms. We report a case of severe toxicity in a relatively young and fit male patient being treated for metastatic colonic adenocarcinoma displaying characteristics that cannot be explained by either mechanism alone.

A case of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy during 5-fluorouracil treatment for rectal adenocarcinoma

A case of acute heart failure due to Takotsubo cardiomyopathy induced by 5-fluorouracil is described. Acute heart failure developed during the administration of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and levofolinate calcium in a 62-year-old woman who had underwent a Miles operation for rectal adenocarcinoma. Electrocardiography upon admission showed slight ST elevation in leads V1-3, and follow-up electrocardiography on the third hospital day evealed QT interval prolongation and giant negative T waves in leads II, III, aVF, and V1-6. Echocardiography and myocardial scintigraphy showed left ventricular apical ballooning in the acute phase of heart failure, but left ventricular contraction was normal during the recovery phase. Coronary angiography demonstrated normal coronary arteries, and multi-vessel coronary artery vasospasms including microcirculation disorders could be provoked by intracoronary acetylcholine infusion during, but not before, the intravenous administration of levofolinate calcium and 5-FU. The cause of heart failure in this patient, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy induced by multivessel coronary vasospasm including microcirculation disorders only during 5-FU administration, is notable.