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Cardiotoxicity after low-dose chloroquine antimalarial therapy
Gabriele Fragasso1, Francesca Sanvito, Francesca Baratto
1Clinical Cardiology, Heart Failure Clinic, Istituto Scientifico San Raffaele, Milan, Italy. gabriele.fragasso@hsr.it
Heart and Vessels
|September 29, 2009
Summary
Low-dose chloroquine prophylaxis for malaria can cause heart failure. Early recognition and drug withdrawal are crucial for reversible cardiac toxicity and preventing severe outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Antimalarial toxicity is typically linked to high-dose, long-term use for nonmalarial conditions.
- Chloroquine is a widely used antimalarial drug with a known safety profile.
Observation:
- A patient with recurrent malaria developed heart failure and biventricular cardiac dysfunction.
- The patient was receiving prophylactic low-dose chloroquine treatment.
Findings:
- Endomyocardial biopsy results were indicative of chloroquine-induced cardiotoxicity.
- Cardiac function improved significantly after discontinuing chloroquine.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for cardiotoxicity even with low-dose chloroquine in malaria patients.
- Early detection of toxicity signs is vital to prevent irreversible cardiac damage and life-threatening complications.
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