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Complete Heart Block and Nonsustained Ventricular Tachycardia Secondary to Cardiac Metastases From Breast Cancer

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Although breast cancer is known to metastasize to the heart, arrhythmias associated with this are unusual. CASE SUMMARY: A 62-year-old woman with a past oncological history was admitted after an incidental finding of complete heart block. Ambulatory Holter monitoring also revealed episodes of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia. Subsequent imaging confirmed cardiac metastases. The patient was managed with permanent leadless pacemaker implantation and initiation of beta-blocker therapy. DISCUSSION: Cardiac involvement from metastatic disease is well documented, including from breast cancer, but presentations with arrhythmias, including complete heart block and ventricular tachycardia, are particularly rare. To our knowledge, no previous cases of breast cancer presenting in this way have been reported. TAKE-HOME MESSAGES: When a patient with a known malignancy presents with new-onset cardiac symptoms, the possibility of cardiac metastases should be considered. Multimodality imaging and a multidisciplinary approach are crucial in diagnosing cardiac metastases.

Source: JACC Case Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.jaccas.2025.106404

Authors: Nicholas Pitto, Supriya Rai, Nuha Kardaman, Shaumik Adhya, Andrew D'Silva

Institution: Medway Maritime Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Cardiac tumors and thrombi

Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $850