Doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy treated with carvedilol.
Even today, heart failure due to doxorubicin-induced dilated cardiomyopathy seems to have a poor prognosis, as it is often irreversible and relatively unresponsive to standard medical treatment. This paper describes the first case of a patient complaining of severe symptoms of congestive heart failure due to doxorubicin-induced dilated cardiomyopathy unresponsive to standard medical treatment (digoxin, diuretics, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor), who showed complete clinical recovery and significant improvement of left ventricular dysfunction after carvedilol treatment. It also illustrates the possibility that carvedilol may be a first-choice drug for the treatment of this disease.
Fazio
S
S
Department of Internal Medicine, Federico II University Medical School, Naples, Italy.
Palmieri
E A
EA
Ferravante
B
B
Bonè
F
F
Biondi
B
B
Saccà
L
L
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002227:Carbazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077261:Carvedilol; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D011412:Propanolamines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D013997:Time Factors
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002227:Carbazoles; D011412:Propanolamines; D000077261:Carvedilol; D004317:Doxorubicin