Work

Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction Related to Hydroxychloroquine-Induced Cardiomyopathy

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: A 69-year-old woman with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis presented with subacute worsening of her chronic chest pain. CASE SUMMARY: Cardiac magnetic resonance demonstrated new diffuse edema, patchy late gadolinium enhancement, and a reduction in myocardial perfusion reserve index, which raised concern for an infiltrative cardiomyopathy leading to microvascular dysfunction. An endomyocardial biopsy resulted in a rare diagnosis of drug-induced cardiomyopathy. DISCUSSION: We report a new association between this drug toxicity and coronary microvascular disease. This represents not only a new finding but potential expanded understanding of the pathophysiology of this disease condition. This finding could have implications for both diagnostic testing and disease management. TAKE-HOME MESSAGES: This case establishes a new relationship between hydroxychloroquine cardiomyopathy and microvascular dysfunction. In addition to the cytotoxic effects of hydroxychloroquine, there may be an additional mechanism of vascular injury leading to the known manifestations with various electrical disturbances, and myocardial dysfunction.

Source: JACC Case Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.jaccas.2025.105337

Authors: Donald Richards, Deeksha Acharya, Serguei Bannykh, Louise Thomson, Evan Kransdorf, Noel Bairey Merz

Institutions: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Cedars-Sinai Smidt Heart Institute

Language: English

Topic: Chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity and mitigation

Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $850