Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives (Jan 2019)
Ibrutinib-induced cardiomyopathy
Abstract
The use of ibrutinib for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and other hematologic malignancies is blooming. Atrial fibrillation is a known side effect of ibrutinib but cardiomyopathy was not reported previously. We present an 88-year-old man with CLL who was admitted to the hospital with new-onset atrial fibrillation and symptomatic systolic congestive heart failure one month after ibrutinib initiation. Although ibrutinib was discontinued, the patient continues to have a low ejection fraction four months after discontinuation. Ischemic heart disease was ruled out with normal cardiac catheterization. This case highlights a possible new side effect of ibrutinib that needs to be monitored while patients receive this medication.
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