Case series, chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy: mind the family history!. Issue 10 (15th September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moghadasi, Setareh; Fijn, Rienke; Beeres, Saskia L M A; Bikker, Hennie; Jongbloed, Jan D H; Josephus Jitta, Djike; Kroep, Judith R; Lekanne Deprez, Ronald H; Vos, Yvonne J; de Vreede, Mariëlle J M; Antoni, M Louisa; Barge-Schaapveld, Daniela Q C M
• Editors: Araiza-Garaygordobil, Diego; Begic, Edin; Vidal-Perez, Rafael; Ananthan, Kajaluxy; Sunjaya, Anthony Paulo
• Is Part Of: European heart journal. Volume 5:Issue 10(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-09-15
• Subjects: Cardiomyopathies/chemically induced -- Cardiomyopathies/genetics -- Genetic predisposition to disease -- Anthracyclines -- Case series; Cardiology -- Periodicals; Cardiology -- Case studies -- Periodicals; Heart -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Heart -- Diseases -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 616.12
• DOI: 10.1093/ehjcr/ytab333
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2514-2119

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Cardiotoxicity presenting as cardiomyopathy is a common side effect in cancer treatment especially with anthracyclines. The role of genetic predisposition is still being investigated. Case summary: Four unrelated patients with a familial burden for cardiac disease, who developed cardiomyopathy after anthracycline treatment are presented. Case 1 received chemotherapy for breast cancer and developed a dilated left ventricle just after treatment. Her father had died unexpectedly while being screened for heart transplant. Case 2 was known with a family history of sudden cardiac death prior to her breast cancer diagnosis. She received anthracycline-containing chemotherapy treatment twice in 5 years due to recurrence of breast cancer. During that period, two brothers developed a cardiomyopathy. Eighteen years later, a genetic predisposition for cardiomyopathy was ascertained and at screening an asymptomatic non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy was established. Case 3 was diagnosed with a dilated cardiomyopathy 1 year after chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer. Her mother had developed a dilated cardiomyopathy several years before. Case 4 received chemotherapy treatment for Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and developed dilated cardiomyopathy 1 year later. His brother died from congestive heart failure which he developed after chemotherapy for Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and a grandmother had died suddenly during child delivery. In all four cases, genetic screening showed (likely) pathogenic variants in cardiomyopathy-associated genes. Discussion: Current guidelines recommend cardiac evaluation in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy based on the presence of cardiovascular risk factors at the start of treatment. This series emphasizes the importance of including a thorough family history in this process.