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Updated: Sep 13, 2026

A Doxorubicin-induced Cardiomyopathy Model in Adult Zebrafish
Published on: June 7, 2018
Late Anthracycline Cardiotoxicity Mimicking Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy in a Young Adult
Maroun Chedid1, Collin Barrett1, Melanie Sun2
1Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute, Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
Background:
Doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity can manifest years after exposure and may mimic other cardiomyopathies in young patients, making the diagnosis of delayed doxorubicin cardiotoxicity challenging in these patients.
Case Summary:
A 26-year-old physically active man with childhood Burkitt's lymphoma treated with doxorubicin (120 mg/m2 cumulative) presented with exertional chest discomfort and palpitations. Resting electrocardiogram and ambulatory monitoring were unremarkable. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated preserved ejection fraction (55%-60%) but reduced global longitudinal strain (-15%). Cardiac magnetic resonance revealed low-normal biventricular function with nonischemic septal late gadolinium enhancement and reduced strain. Exercise stress testing demonstrated impaired contractile reserve, septal mechanical dyssynchrony, and exercise-induced QRS prolongation. Coronary computed tomography angiography excluded coronary artery disease.
Discussion:
This case highlights that anthracycline cardiotoxicity may present late, mimic myocardial ischemia, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, and other cardiomyopathies.
Take-Home Message:
A high index of suspicion is required for late cardiotoxicity in young cancer survivors.
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