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Is 5-fluorouracil-induced vasospasm a Kounis syndrome? A diagnostic challenge
C Y Karabay1, C Gecmen, S M Aung
1Kartal Koşuyolu Heart & Research Hospital, Cardiology Clinic, Istanbul, Turkey. karabaymd@yahoo.com
Abstract:
Cardiovascular hypersensitivity is a rare and well-documented side-effect of 5-FU (5-fluorouracil). Besides the common complications such as angina pectoris and myocardial infarction, it can also cause cardiogenic shock, and supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. Studies have reported that FU-induced angina most commonly occurred due to vasospasm. In our case, 9 hours after stopping the infusion of 5-FU, the patients developed symptoms and electrocardiographic (ECG) findings consistent with acute myocardial infarction. We intend to share this rare case and discuss whether this late complication after 5-FU infusion is an FU-induced vasospasm or rather an allergic reaction leading to Kounis syndrome.
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