Takotsubo syndrome after treatment with non-cardiotoxic chemotherapy agents

Abstract

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS), acute stress-induced cardiomyopathy, is known to have a dramatic clinical presentation mimicking acute myocardial infarction. Recently developed chemotherapeutic drugs have resulted in improvements in morbidity and mortality in many forms of cancer. However, some chemotherapeutic drugs are cardiotoxic and may cause heart failure. Gemcitabine and vinorelbine are commonly used drugs for various solid organ neoplasms. While neither of these chemotherapeutic drugs has been directly associated with cardiotoxicity, there are a few case reports in the literature related to gemcitabine treatment- induced cardiomyopathy. This case report describes a case of TTS developing within hours of gemcitabine and vinorelbine chemotherapy.