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Journal of Medical Cases

Case Report

Volume 6, Number 5, May 2015, pages 226-228

Adriamycine-Induced Cardiomyopathy

Adriamycin belongs to the group of anthracyclines which were introduced for the use of cancer treatment in the late 1960s [1]. Anthracyclines are derived from various types of streptomycin. They are red in color, which derives the synthetic “rubi” used in medicines (doxorubicin) [2]. Their action produces oxygen and hydroxyl radicals [3], which are mainly responsible for cardiotoxicity in turn leading to cardiomyopathy. The prognosis for adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy remains unfavorable despite the applied treatment [4, 5].

A 54-year-old man was referred to the Cardiology Department of the Military Hospital due to shortness of breath, orthopnoea and fatigue which were gradually worsening throughout the month.

His medical history only mentioned that he had undergone chemotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma in 2009.

The clinical examination revealed tachycardia, with a frequency of 115 bpm and blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg. Further there were rales on lung bases and mild systolic murmur. In the chest X-rays there were signs of increased dimension of the left ventricular and intensification of the lung vessels. The electrocardiogram revealed left bundle branch block (Fig. 1).

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Figure 1. Electrocardiography of the patient after chemotherapy.

Echocardiography was performed which revealed dilatation of the left atrium and left ventricle (6.6 cm) with moderate mitral regurgitation, mild tricuspid insufficiency and left ventricular ejection fraction of 35%. A 24-h Holter monitor was placed which revealed a few ventricular premature beats (Fig. 2, 3).

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Figure 2. Echocardiography image that shows the dilatation of left ventricle after the chemotherapy.

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Figure 3. Echocardiograhy image that shows the poor ejection fraction of left ventricle after the chemotherapy.

Due to the low blood pressure that the patient had, a symptomatic treatment with low dose of diuretics, b-blocker and ACE inhibitor was started. A coronary angiography was performed which showed no coronary artery disease. Examining the medical records of Nicosia General Hospital, where the chemotherapy took place, an echocardiography study prior to the initiation of the chemotherapy was reported with normal ejection fraction. From all the above mentioned the conclusion was reached that the patient suffers from adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy.

The cardiotoxicity from adriamycin can appear as acute reversible myocarditis, subacute cardiomyopathy and chronic cardiomyopathy.

Acute myocarditis constitutes 11% [6] of all incidents and it can occur even with the issuance of only one dosage. It is expressed with chest pain, pulse feeling and ventricular or supraventricular arrhythmias. The treatment is supporting.

The subacute cardiomyopathy can occur 30 days from the last dose of the treatment and up to 10 years afterwards. The impact of cardiotoxicity is directly related to the dose of medicine, to the combination with other anticancer medicines, to the age of the patient and to the background history of cardiovascular diseases as hypertension and cardiac insufficiency of the patient.

Chronic cardiomyopathy occurs after many years (on average 14 years) [7] from the first day of the treatment and it is characterized by symptoms and signs of heart failure and arrhythmias that did not exist at the end of treatment.

Various methods are applied for the early diagnosis of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity. Fundamental role has the receipt of a good medical history and the complete extensive clinical examination prior to the issuance of treatment. The servant doctor must be alert for a possible appearance of signs and symptoms of cardiac insufficiency. Even though the best method for diagnosing cardiotoxicity is the myocardial biopsy, the most reliable, non-invasive method for the diagnosis and follow-up of above patients is the estimate of ejection fraction of the left ventricle via echocardiography [8]. When after the issuing of the treatment the ejection fraction is under 45%, it is considered that the patient has an increased risk of cardiotoxicity. On the contrary when it remains above 60% the issuing of treatment is considered sure. For ejection fraction between 45% and 60%, smaller possible dose should be used, with frequent follow-up of the patient. In cases of doubt for the continuation of treatment, a myocardial biopsy was performed for determining the extent of myocardial damage [9].

All studies lead to the conclusion that the most important factor in the prevention of cardiomyopathy is the reduction of a whole engaged dose of the patient to < 450 mg/m² [6]. It was proven that an important role in the prevention was the use of anthracyclines proportionals, the alternative methods of issuing of medicines and the slow continuous infusion.

There is no special treatment for anthracyclines-induced cardiomyopathy. The same medicines are used as for all other types of cardiomypathies. In patients with malignant arrhythmias amiodarone and implanting defibrillator should be used. The possibility of heart transplantation is a possibility for patients that have been cured completely from their disease [10].

Anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy remains a lethal disease despite the intensive research that has been done in the sector of prevention and treatment. Due to the fact that a large number of patients begin to receive treatment from childhood, patients must be monitored throughout their whole life since cardiotoxicity can present itself even after many years.

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Journal of Medical Cases is published by Elmer Press Inc.