Cor Vasa 2018, 60(5):e469-e471 | DOI: 10.1016/j.crvasa.2017.11.009

Cardiac implantable electronic devices and chemotherapy: A risky combination

Michele Scarano^a,*, Germana Gizzi^a, Domenico Mastrodicasa^b, Cesare Mantini^b

^a Cardiology Unit, Emergency Department, Hospital "Madonna del Soccorso", San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy

^b Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy

The incidence of infective endocarditis in subjects with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) is not an uncommon complication. Diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, oral corticosteroids, malignancies and congestive heart failure represent common risk factors for cardiac device-related endocarditis (CDE); however, chemotherapy (CHT) may also play an important role in this serious complication. We present a case of CHT-induced CDE in a 64-year-old male with multiple cardiac risk factors.

Keywords: Cardiac implantable electronic device; Chemotherapy; Infective endocarditis; Pacemaker

Received: May 1, 2017; Revised: November 26, 2017; Accepted: November 27, 2017; Published: October 1, 2018  Show citation