title: An unusual complication following transarterial chemoembolization: acute myocardial infarction.
abstract: Transarterial chemoembolization has been widely used to treat unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Various complications have been reported, but they have not included acute myocardial infarction. Acute myocardial infarction results mainly from coronary artery occlusion by plaques that are vulnerable to rupture or from coronary spasm, embolization, or dissection of the coronary artery. It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We present a case report that describes a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent transarterial chemoembolization and died subsequently of acute myocardial infarction. To our knowledge, there has been no previous report of this complication induced by transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma. This case illustrates the need to be aware of acute myocardial infarction when transarterial chemoembolization is planned for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, especially in patients with underlying coronary artery disease.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Armed Forces Taichung General Hospital, Taiping, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Yi-Liang
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Wei-Chou
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Wu-Hsien
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: Tien-Yu
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Heng-Cheng
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Tsai-Yuan
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Wei-Kuo
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D016461:Chemoembolization, Therapeutic / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000150:complications; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000150:complications; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006499:Hepatic Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007459:Iodized Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D011859:Radiography
chemical_list: D007459:Iodized Oil; D004317:Doxorubicin