Acute cardiomyopathy following a single dose of doxorubicin in a patient with adult T-Cell leukemia/lymphoma

Introduction: Anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimens are associated with decreased cardiac function with cumulative dosing, yet there is limited information regarding the acute cardiotoxic potential of these medications and appropriate medical management strategies. Herein, we report a case of cardiomyopathy following a single dose of doxorubicin and describe our pharmacologic management approach. Case report: A 37 year old Jamaican male presented for work-up and treatment of HTLV-1 associated T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. Upon diagnosis, the patient received one cycle of CHOEP, which was complicated by tumor lysis syndrome. Subsequently, the treatment was changed to DA-EPOCH, however, immediately after the initiation of DA-EPOCH on day 1, the patient was found to have t-wave inversions on EKG and an ejection fraction (EF) of 20% with new mitral regurgitation. EPOCH infusion was discontinued within 3 hours of initiation. Management and outcome: The chemotherapy regimen was modified to DA-EPOC with the removal of doxorubicin. The patient was started on metoprolol succinate 12.5 mg once daily for 2 days and subsequently switched to carvedilol 3.125 mg twice daily and lisinopril 5 mg once daily; the patient’s ejection fraction improved to baseline after 2.5 months of therapy. Discussion: Though anthracyclines are associated with cardiotoxicity at high cumulative doses, this case highlights the cardiotoxic potential of these medications in the acute setting. Management of anthracycline cardiotoxicity is similar to heart failure management, with data suggesting benefit of using carvedilol and lisinopril. It is unclear if our patient would have benefited from prophylactic angiotensin converting enzymes inhibitors (ACEi) and/or beta-blocker therapy, as he had no known cardiac disease. Acute anthracycline-induced cardiac toxicity is an adverse drug reaction with which providers should be familiar and know how to appropriately manage.