A case of coronary vasospasm after repeat rituximab infusion

Abstract

Coronary artery vasospasm (CAV) can be triggered by medication reactions. CAV occurring after multiple exposures to rituximab has not been previously described. A 61-year-old woman with no cardiac risk factors was treated with the sixth cycle of gemcitabine, cisplatin, dexamethasone, and rituximab therapy. Fifteen minutes after rituximab infusion commenced, she developed typical cardiac chest pain with ST segment elevations on electrocardiogram. Angiogram revealed evidence of coronary vasospasm. The patient was successfully treated with amlodipine. This case underlines the importance of monitoring cardiac side effects of rituximab therapy, even after multiple cycles.