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Zorluk: OrtaHematology and Oncology

A 54-year-old woman presents to the outpatient clinic reporting a three-week history of progressively worsening exertional dyspnea, fatigue, and bilateral lower extremity swelling. She states that she now requires three pillows to sleep comfortably at night without waking up short of breath. Her medical history is significant for estrogen-receptor-negative, HER2-positive breast cancer, for which she underwent surgical resection and completed a chemotherapy regimen containing doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide six months ago. She is currently receiving maintenance therapy with trastuzumab. Vital signs show a temperature of 37.1∘C37.1^\circ C (98.8∘F98.8^\circ F), heart rate of 105 /min105\text{ /min}, respiratory rate of 22 /min22\text{ /min}, and blood pressure of 114/74 mmHg114/74\text{ mmHg}. Pulse oximetry is 94%94\% on room air. Physical examination reveals an elevated jugular venous pressure of 9 cm H2O9\text{ cm H}_2\text{O}, fine bibasilar crackles, and a distinct third heart sound (S3S_3). Pitting edema is present to the mid-calves bilaterally.

Recent laboratory studies are as follows:

Laboratory TestPatient ResultReference Range
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)2.2 μU/mL2.2\text{ }\mu\text{U/mL}0.5−5.0 μU/mL0.5-5.0\text{ }\mu\text{U/mL}
Arterial pHpH7.467.467.35−7.457.35-7.45
Arterial pCO2pCO_231 mmHg31\text{ mmHg}35−45 mmHg35-45\text{ mmHg}
Arterial pO2pO_270 mmHg70\text{ mmHg}75−105 mmHg75-105\text{ mmHg}

Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

  1. Transthoracic echocardiographyCevap
  2. B
    Pulmonary function testing
  3. C
    Intravenous piperacillin-tazobactam
  4. D
    Initiation of levothyroxine
  5. E
    Intravenous sodium bicarbonate

Cevap

The most appropriate next step in management is to perform a transthoracic echocardiography.
The correct answer is transthoracic echocardiography because this patient exhibits classic signs and symptoms of acute decompensated heart failure (orthopnea, elevated JVP, S3 gallop, pulmonary crackles, and peripheral edema). Her recent treatment with doxorubicin (an anthracycline) and ongoing treatment with trastuzumab place her at an exceptionally high risk for chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity. Doxorubicin causes dose-dependent, irreversible myocyte necrosis leading to dilated cardiomyopathy, while trastuzumab causes a usually reversible decline in contractility. Echocardiography is the essential next step to evaluate the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and guide subsequent heart failure management.

Adım Adım Çözüm

1
Identify the patient's primary clinical syndrome.
The patient presents with progressive dyspnea, orthopnea, elevated jugular venous pressure, an S3 gallop, and bilateral lower extremity edema, which are hallmark signs of acute decompensated heart failure.
Recognizing the pattern of volume overload and pump failure is required to differentiate this from primary pulmonary or endocrine pathologies.
2
Assess the patient's risk factors based on her oncologic history.
The patient received doxorubicin (an anthracycline) and is currently taking trastuzumab (a HER2 monoclonal antibody). Both are known to be highly cardiotoxic.
Anthracyclines cause dose-dependent, irreversible myocyte necrosis, while trastuzumab causes a typically reversible decline in myocardial contractility. The combination significantly amplifies the risk of dilated cardiomyopathy.
3
Determine the best diagnostic test to confirm the suspected etiology.
Transthoracic echocardiography should be ordered.
Echocardiography is the gold standard, non-invasive initial test to evaluate left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), structural abnormalities, and confirm the diagnosis of chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy.

Anahtar Kavram

Patients treated with cardiotoxic chemotherapeutic agents (e.g., anthracyclines, trastuzumab) who present with signs of volume overload must be promptly evaluated for chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy using transthoracic echocardiography.
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