title: Myocardial infarction after rituximab treatment for rheumatoid arthritis: Is there a link?
abstract: Rituximab is an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody often used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Infusion reactions sometimes develop following rituximab administration. Delayed complications are rare. Acute coronary syndromes are listed as sideeffects of rituximab therapy. We report two cases of acute myocardial infarction following rituximab therapy for RA and review the literature regarding cardiac events in patients treated with rituximab. We would like to raise awareness of this possible complication in patients treated with rituximab.
authors.forename: Alper M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: van Sijl
authors.forename: Wilfred
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: van der Weele
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Jan van Breemen Research Institute, Reade P.O. Box 58271, 1040 HG, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. a.v.sijl@reade.nl.
authors.forename: Michael T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Nurmohamed
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors; D000069283:Rituximab; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069283:Rituximab