ABSTRACT
5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a key chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of many gastrointestinal tract adenocarcinomas. Despite its proven therapeutic efficacy, 5-FU also possesses several undesired cardiac toxicities, including coronary vasospasm, coronary thrombosis, cardiomyopathy, and sudden cardiac death. This review addresses the incidence, mechanisms of action, clinical presentation, risk stratification, and management of 5-FU associated cardiotoxicity; it also highlights the importance of careful pre-administration cardiac risk stratification and close monitoring during and after drug administration.
Subject(s)
Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic/adverse effects , Fluorouracil/adverse effects , Heart Diseases/chemically induced , Animals , Coronary Vessels/drug effects , Coronary Vessels/pathology , Drug Monitoring , Heart Diseases/diagnosis , Heart Diseases/mortality , Heart Diseases/therapy , Humans , Incidence , Myocardium/pathology , Risk Assessment , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a key component in the treatment of many gastrointestinal tract adenocarcinomas. Despite its proven therapeutic efficacy, this chemotherapeutic agent also possesses several associated cardiac toxicities, including coronary vasospasm and coronary thrombosis. We report a case of acute coronary syndrome with thrombotic subtotal coronary artery occlusion in the setting of home 5-FU infusion highlighting the importance of careful pre-administration cardiac evaluation and close monitoring during drug administration.
