CARDIOTOXICITY WITH 5FU AND CAPECITABINE-MORE THAN VASOSPASTIC ANGINA

Intern Med J. 2010 Apr;40(4):303-7.
Cardiotoxicity with 5-fluorouracil and capecitabine: more than just vasospastic angina.
Stewart T, Pavlakis N, Ward M.

Department of Cardiology, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia.
Abstract

In this case series we present a variety of different cardiac toxicities with 5-fluorouracil and its pro-drug capecitabine, including myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, sinoatrial and atrioventricular node dysfunction, takotsubo cardiomyopathy and QT prolongation with torsade-de pointes ventricular tachycardia. We stress the fact that while vasospasm is a well-recognized side-effect of this class of chemotherapeutic agent, broader cardiotoxicity is commonly seen and an increased awareness of the range of toxicity is necessary if repeat toxicity is to be avoided.