Imatinib-induced decompensated heart failure in an elderly patient with chronic myeloid leukemia: case report and literature review.
Because it is safe and well tolerated, imatinib is a standard first-line therapy for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Although there have been sporadic reports of imatinib-induced cardiotoxicity, including left ventricle (LV) dysfunction and heart failure, the evidence for it is contradictory. Here, we reported a case of an 88-year-old male patient with CML developed decompensated heart failure following imatinib therapy. Four days after the initiation of imatinib, the patient developed orthopnea, edema and a pleural effusion accompanied by abdominal distension, nausea and vomiting. The chest X-ray film showed an enlarged cardiac profile. The echocardiogram demonstrated a decreased LV ejection fraction and enlarged left-side cardiac chambers. B-type natriuretic peptide concentrations were markedly increased. The patient recovered soon after the withdrawal of imatinib and introduction of comprehensive therapy for heart failure. Imatinib-induced cardiotoxicity in elderly patients is a potentially serious complication that merits further evaluation.
Department of Geriatric Hematology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Road, Beijing 100853, China.
Hai-Hong
HH
Ran
Ran
R
Zhang
Xue-Chun
XC
Lu
Bo
B
Yang
Hui
H
Fan
Hong-Li
HL
Zhu
Chronic myeloid leukemia; Heart failure; Imatinib