Peripartum Cardiomyopathy Occurring in a Patient Previously Treated With Doxorubicin

Abstract

We present a 28-year-old primigravida woman in whom congestive heart failure developed 3 months after delivery of a neonate. The patient underwent doxorubicin treatment 10 years previously. The combined cardiotoxicity of prior doxorubicin treatment and pregnancy is considered, and the importance of careful follow-up of cardiac function during pregnancy and postpartum in patients previously treated with doxorubicin is stressed.

Long-term Cardiovascular Toxicity in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults Who Receive Cancer Therapy: Pathophysiology, Course, Monitoring, Management, Prevention, and Research Directions

“…209a Finally, the risk of cardiac dysfunction during or shortly after excess cardiac stress associated with pregnancy and delivery or other sources of cardiovascular stress, such as extreme sports or surgery, is not well known. 210,211 Most studies in childhood cancer survivors are cross-sectional.…”

Case of fulminant hepatic failure due to unrecognized peripartum cardiomyopathy

“…The cause of peripartum cardiomyopathy has not yet been clearly defined, although evidence suggests viral myocarditis as a potential cause in a majority of cases (7). There has been one case of peripartum cardiomyopathy developing in a patient previously treated with doxorubicin (8). Our patient's previous therapy for Hodgkin's disease may have included doxorubicin as a component of her chemotherapeutic regimen and could have contributed to the development of her cardiomyopathy.…”

Low STAT3 expression sensitizes to toxic effects of β-adrenergic receptor stimulation in peripartum cardiomyopathy

“…17 Additional mechanisms may involve previous anthracyline treatment that decreases cardiomyocyte STAT3 19 and that is a risk factor for PPCM. 7,20 …”