Paclitaxel-induced Chest Pain and Left Bundle Branch Block in the Absence of Cardiac Ischemia

Abstract

How to cite this article: Brenes-Salazar JA. Paclitaxel-induced Chest Pain and Left Bundle Branch Block in the Absence of Cardiac Ischemia. IJCCM 2019;23(11):526–528.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 60-year-old woman with a history of hypertension, type II diabetes, and hyperlipidemia underwent her first cycle of intravenous chemotherapy with paclitaxel for endometrial clear-cell adenocarcinoma at a standard rate of 135 mg/m² over 3 hours (body surface area 2.10 m²).

Thirty minutes into her infusion, she complained of dizziness and heavy chest discomfort; her blood pressure was 105/59 mm Hg, a pulse of 75 beats per minute, and an oxygen saturation of 95% on ambient air; cardiopulmonary physical examination revealed reverse splitting of the second heart sound. An electrocardiogram was performed and showed a new, complete left bundle branch block (LBBB) (Fig. 1). Prior to the initiation of her infusion, her electrocardiogram displayed no conduction abnormalities at similar heart rates. Her symptoms spontaneously resolved within 10 minutes of stopping her infusion.

Fig. 1.

Electrocardiogram obtained shortly after the onset of chest discomfort, which displays normal sinus rhythm at 75 beats per minute and a complete left bundle branch block, with ST and T wave abnormalities related to abnormal conduction

She was admitted to the cardiology service for additional workup. Her complete blood count and comprehensive metabolic panel were within normal limits. Serial troponin I levels were obtained on admission, at 3–6 hours and were negative. A comprehensive echocardiogram was performed, which revealed normal left and right ventricular function, with no regional wall motion abnormalities. Coronary angiogram demonstrated no obstructive coronary disease. Her oncologist was informed of the results, and an alternative chemotherapy regimen was chosen. At 1-week follow-up, she reported no recurrence of symptoms; repeat electrocardiogram displayed resolution of her LBBB (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2.

Electrocardiogram obtained 1 week after hospital discharge, which demonstrates resolution of left bundle branch block; heart rate is 73 beats per minute

LBBB results when the normal activation sequence in the His-Purkinje system is interrupted, with asynchronous and delayed activation of the left ventricle.¹ In most cases, LBBB is associated with underlying conduction system disease, which can be progressive. Multiple chronic conditions that promote myocardial fibrosis, such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, and valvular disease, can contribute to the gradual development of LBBB. However, there are some clinical scenarios, with acute coronary syndromes being the most commonly invoked, in which LBBB presents in a rather acute or subacute manner, leading to different diagnostic considerations (Table 1).

Table 1.

Acute/subacute causes of left bundle branch block

Etiology	Diagnostic clues
Acute coronary syndromes (e.g., anterior STEMI)	Sgarbossa's criteria, elevated troponins, established coronary artery disease or multiple risk factors
Myocarditis	Heart failure, elevated inflammatory markers, elevated troponins
Hyperkalemia	Rare, usually rapid rise in serum potassium
Toxic	History of recent exposure to heavy metals, cocaine, chemotherapy, antiarrhythmics (particularly class I)
Infectious	Specific presentations of Lyme disease, Chagas disease, diphtheria, acute rheumatic fever, etc.
Rate-related (functional)	Transient, several long R–R intervals followed by short R–R cycles, disappears at lower heart rates

Paclitaxel is a natural product, originally isolated from the Pacific yew tree (Taxus brevipholia) that exhibits antineoplastic activity by inhibition of tubular polymerization. In early clinical trials, major hypersensitivity reactions were reported with the use of paclitaxel;² such reactions led to routine telemetry monitoring during subsequent phases, which unveiled previously unnoticed cardiovascular manifestations. Most of these are related to asymptomatic sinus tachycardia.³ More serious cardiovascular events are rare but include hypotension, varying degrees of atrioventricular (AV) block, ventricular tachycardia, and acute coronary syndromes.^4,5 Left bundle branch block has been reported with a frequency of 4%.²

From a clinical standpoint, symptoms such as wheezing, dizziness, and rash have been described in the setting of hypersensitivity reactions to paclitaxel, but chest pain has been reported only in rare occasions.⁶ The concomitant presence of chest discomfort and a new LBBB with the use of paclitaxel has not been previously described in the literature. Such presentation raised suspicion of an acute coronary syndrome and hence motivated the transfer of care of our patient.

The mechanism by which paclitaxel induces LBBB is not entirely clear, but the absence of other dynamic ischemic changes on the electrocardiogram and most importantly no evidence of myocardial injury as measured by troponin levels, which very strongly suggests a nonischemic process, as myocardial contractility is not significantly dependent on microtubular function. Conversely, the sarcoplasmic and sarcotubular systems have important roles in electrical impulse conduction in the sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes, as well as the His-Purkinje system,⁷ which would be consistent with the wide array of electrocardiographic disturbances reported with the use of paclitaxel.

Fortunately, most of the electrocardiographic disturbances associated with paclitaxel appear to be asymptomatic, transient, and tend to resolve spontaneously after discontinuation of the agent. Nevertheless, they often recur when the patient is rechallenged with the drug and therefore may prompt for alternative chemotherapy choices, particularly with presentations such as high-grade AV block or ventricular tachycardia.