Young woman with breast cancer and cardiotoxicity with severe heart failure treated with a HeartMate IITM for nearly 6 years before heart transplantation

ASAIO J. 2014 Nov-Dec;60(6):e3-4. doi: 10.1097/MAT.0000000000000138.

Abstract

Cardiotoxicity is a multifactorial problem, which has emerged with the improvement of cancer therapies and survival. Heart transplantation is relatively contraindicated in patients with breast cancer, until at least 5 years after complete remission. We present a case where a young woman who in 2001, at the age of 31, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was considered cured, but 4 years later she suffered a relapse. During her second treatment, in 2006, she suffered from severe heart failure. She received a HeartMate II, as a long-term bridge to transplantation and 6 years later she was successfully transplanted. In this case report we discuss the use of mechanical circulatory support in cancer patients with drug-induced heart failure.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Breast Neoplasms / complications*
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / complications*
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / therapy
  • Female
  • Heart Failure / etiology*
  • Heart Failure / surgery*
  • Heart Transplantation
  • Heart-Assist Devices*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / complications
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / therapy
  • Time Factors