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Updated: Sep 16, 2025

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Ventricular Tachycardia and Takotsubo-like Syndrome in a Patient Undergoing Afatinib Treatment for Advanced Lung

Keisho Kurokawa1, Akinori Higaki1, Yasuhisa Nakao1

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Pulmonology, Hypertension & Nephrology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan.

Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan)
|July 9, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Afatinib, an EGFR inhibitor for lung cancer, can cause serious cardiac issues. A patient experienced ventricular tachycardia and Takotsubo-like dysfunction, highlighting potential cardiac side effects of this treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Afatinib is a targeted therapy for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
  • EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors can have cardiovascular side effects.
  • Cardiac complications in NSCLC patients receiving afatinib require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a case of cardiac dysfunction following afatinib treatment.
  • To highlight potential adverse cardiac events associated with afatinib.
  • To increase awareness of Takotsubo-like cardiomyopathy and ventricular tachycardia as afatinib side effects.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of a 61-year-old woman treated with afatinib for lung adenocarcinoma.
  • Clinical monitoring for dyspnea and ventricular tachycardia (VT).
  • Diagnostic imaging including echocardiography and cardiac computed tomography.

Main Results:

  • The patient developed VT and Takotsubo-like left ventricular dysfunction post-afatinib initiation.
  • Despite treatment, cardiac function did not improve, leading to circulatory failure.
  • Symptoms resolved by day 3 of hospitalization.

Conclusions:

  • Takotsubo-like cardiac dysfunction and VT are potential adverse events of afatinib.
  • Clinicians should monitor for cardiac complications in patients treated with afatinib.
  • Early recognition and management are crucial for patients experiencing afatinib-induced cardiotoxicity.
Keywords:
Takotsubo-like syndromeafatinibventricular tachycardia

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