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Updated: May 10, 2026
09:54
Assessment of Human Natural Killer Cell Events Driven by FcγRIIIa Engagement in the Presence of Therapeutic Antibodies
Published on: May 22, 2020
Myocardial infarction after rituximab infusion
Dimitri Renard1, Luc Cornillet, Giovanni Castelnovo
1Department of Neurology, CHU Nîmes, Hôpital Caremeau, Place du Pr Debré, 30029 Nîmes Cedex 4, France. dimitrirenard@hotmail.com
Neuromuscular Disorders : NMD
|June 18, 2013
Summary
Myocardial infarction is a rare complication of rituximab therapy, even in young patients without traditional cardiovascular risks. This case highlights a potential risk associated with monoclonal antibody treatments.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cardiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Monoclonal antibody therapies, such as rituximab, are used for various autoimmune and lymphoproliferative disorders.
- Myocardial infarction (MI) is a known rare complication associated with rituximab, typically in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular risk factors.
Observation:
- A 52-year-old male patient without classical cardiovascular risk factors or associated inflammatory/lymphoproliferative disorders received rituximab for seronegative myasthenia gravis.
- The patient experienced a myocardial infarction (MI) following rituximab infusions.
Findings:
- This case demonstrates a myocardial infarction occurring in a patient without typical risk factors, suggesting rituximab may pose a risk beyond established patient populations.
- The precise mechanism linking rituximab therapy to myocardial infarction in such cases remains unclear.
Implications:
- Clinicians should be aware of the potential for rare but serious cardiovascular events like MI following rituximab treatment, even in younger individuals without traditional risk factors.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the pathophysiology of rituximab-induced MI and to identify potential predictive markers or preventative strategies.
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