Cardiotoxic
| Cardiotoxicity | |
|---|---|
| [[File:|250px|]] | |
| Synonyms | |
| Pronounce | |
| Specialty | Cardiology, Toxicology |
| Symptoms | |
| Complications | |
| Onset | |
| Duration | |
| Types | |
| Causes | Exposure to cardiotoxic substances |
| Risks | |
| Diagnosis | |
| Differential diagnosis | |
| Prevention | |
| Treatment | |
| Medication | |
| Prognosis | |
| Frequency | |
| Deaths | |
Cardiotoxicity refers to damage to the heart by harmful chemicals. As a significant side effect of various substances, including both chemotherapeutic agents and toxins, cardiotoxicity can lead to severe cardiac dysfunction and may be fatal.
Causes[edit | edit source]
Cardiotoxicity can be caused by numerous agents including:
- Chemotherapy drugs, such as anthracyclines (e.g., doxorubicin), cyclophosphamide, and trastuzumab
- Radiation therapy directed at or near the heart
- Some antibiotics
- Heavy metals such as arsenic and lead
- Lifestyle factors and other medications
Mechanism[edit | edit source]
The mechanism of cardiotoxicity varies depending on the causative agent. For example, anthracyclines cause oxidative stress leading to damage of the myocardial cells. Trastuzumab, an antibody used in cancer therapy, can lead to dysfunction of the heart muscle by interfering with its growth signals.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
Symptoms of cardiotoxicity may include:
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Edema (swelling)
- Arrhythmias
- Chest pain
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosis of cardiotoxicity generally involves:
- Medical history and physical examination
- Echocardiogram to assess heart function
- Blood tests to measure cardiac biomarkers
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) to detect heart rhythm abnormalities
Prevention and Treatment[edit | edit source]
Prevention of cardiotoxicity involves regular monitoring of heart function during treatment with known cardiotoxic agents. Treatment may include:
- Modification or discontinuation of the offending drug
- Medications to manage symptoms and prevent further damage
- Lifestyle changes and possibly cardiac rehabilitation
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
The prognosis for cardiotoxicity varies depending on the extent of the heart damage and the effectiveness of mitigating treatments. Early detection and management are crucial.
See also[edit | edit source]
 | This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
