A case of coronary spasm induced by 5-fluorouracil

Acta Cardiol. 2002 Oct;57(5):381-3. doi: 10.2143/AC.57.5.2005458.

Abstract

Cardiotoxicity is an uncommon adverse effect of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Coronary artery spasm has been postulated to be involved in the mechanism of this incident Patients may present with angina, myocardial infarction, arrhythmias and/or even sudden death. When the drug is readministered, there is a high risk of relapse. The underlying mechanisms of cardiotoxicity are not yet fully understood, although coronary vasospasm may be responsible. We report one woman receiving 5-fluorouracil therapy with typical chest pain and electrocardiographic changes consistent with acute coronary syndrome. A resolving pain and normalisation of ECG changes with nitrate therapy and normal coronary arteries indicate that this incident was about a coronary spasm caused by 5-FU.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / adverse effects*
  • Chest Pain / chemically induced
  • Chest Pain / diagnosis
  • Colonic Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Coronary Disease / chemically induced*
  • Coronary Disease / diagnosis
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Middle Aged
  • Spasm / chemically induced*
  • Spasm / diagnosis
  • Syndrome
  • Treatment Failure

Substances

  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
  • Fluorouracil