A case of irreversible bradycardia after rituximab therapy for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Abstract

This is a case of a middle-aged woman with underlying cardiac conduction system with episodes of AV Wenckebach, who subsequently developed significant AV conduction system abnormalities after receiving one standard dose of Rituximab infusion for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Rituximab, being a monoclonal antibody against CD-20 antigen, is effective in treatment of B-cell lymphoma but may also cause bradyarrythmias likely due to the calcium ion channel property of CD-20 antigen.