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Updated: May 20, 2026

Chemotherapy-induced Vascular Toxicity - Real-time In vivo Imaging of Vessel Impairment
Published on: January 7, 2015
Capecitabine may induce coronary artery vasospasm
Eleutherios Tsiamis1, Andreas Synetos, Christodoulos Stefanadis
1First Department of Cardiology, Hippokration Hospital, University of Athens, Greece.
Capecitabine, an oral chemotherapy for colorectal cancer, may cause myocardial ischemia. Coronary spasm is a potential cause of these cardiac symptoms, even without visible blockages.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Capecitabine is an oral chemotherapeutic agent for colorectal cancer.
- It is designed for high specificity towards tumor cells.
Observation:
- A patient treated with capecitabine developed angina pectoris and signs of myocardial ischemia.
- Coronary angiography showed no significant atherosclerotic coronary stenosis.
Findings:
- The patient's cardiac symptoms suggest myocardial ischemia.
- Coronary artery spasm is a potential, though not angiographically confirmed, cause.
Implications:
- This case highlights a potential adverse cardiac effect of capecitabine.
- Further investigation into capecitabine-induced coronary vasospasm is warranted.
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