Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 4, 2025
![Dynamic Imaging of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells with [18F]Tetrafluoroborate Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F62334.jpg&w=3840&q=50)
Dynamic Imaging of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells with [18F]Tetrafluoroborate Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography
Published on: February 17, 2022
Sudden and severe cardiotoxicity induced with pembrolizumab, its clinical course, therapeutic intervention, and
Tomohiro Matsumoto1, Koji Fukuda1, Taichi Yoshida1
1Department of Clinical Oncology, Akita University, Hondo 1-1-1, Akita, 010-8543 Japan.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), including cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated antigen-4 inhibitors, and inhibitors of programmed cell death 1 and its ligand, are widely used in the treatment of several malignant tumors. Immune-related adverse events occur in two-thirds of recipients. Among them, cardiotoxicities are very rare (about 1%), albeit fatal. Pembrolizumab-induced cardiotoxicity in a patient was successfully treated with high-dose corticosteroids, and his cardiac function was maintained by adrenergic drugs and intra-aortic balloon pumping in the intensive care unit for 1 week. Cardiotoxicity with ICIs is an oncologic emergency, and should be managed in a pluridisciplinary setting involving cardiologists.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), including cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated antigen-4 inhibitors, and inhibitors of programmed cell death 1 and its ligand, are widely used in the treatment of several malignant tumors. Immune-related adverse events occur in two-thirds of recipients. Among them, cardiotoxicities are very rare (about 1%), albeit fatal. Pembrolizumab-induced cardiotoxicity in a patient was successfully treated with high-dose corticosteroids, and his cardiac function was maintained by adrenergic drugs and intra-aortic balloon pumping in the intensive care unit for 1 week. Cardiotoxicity with ICIs is an oncologic emergency, and should be managed in a pluridisciplinary setting involving cardiologists.
Related Concept Videos
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation IV: Pharmacological Management
Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care
Myocarditis I: Introduction
Myocarditis III: Medical Management

