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Case Reports
. 2022 Aug 19;14(8):e28184.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.28184. eCollection 2022 Aug.

Capecitabine-Associated Coronary Vasospasm and Cardiac Arrest

Erind Muco  1 , Haris Patail  1 , Ayesha Shaik  2 , Sean McMahon  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Capecitabine-Associated Coronary Vasospasm and Cardiac Arrest

Erind Muco et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Capecitabine is a prodrug of fluorouracil that specifically targets cancer cells, commonly used as monotherapy for metastatic breast and colorectal cancer. Its side effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, anorexia, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, anemia, and hyperbilirubinemia. Rarely, this chemotherapy agent has been associated with cardiotoxicity, including cardiac arrest, likely secondary to coronary vasospasm. This case report serves to highlight the unfortunate case of a 32-year-old female who suffered a ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest three days after initiating capecitabine therapy.

Keywords: breast cancer; capecitabine; cardiac arrest; coronary vasospasm; ventricular fibrillation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Initial EKG
Upon presentation to the ED, the patient’s EKG showed concern for anterior ischemia.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Subsequent EKG
EKG obtained two hours after the initial one showed resolution of anterior ST elevations without any intervention.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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