Cytarabine-induced pericarditis confirmed using cardiac MRI: A case report

Echocardiography. 2021 Aug;38(8):1446-1449. doi: 10.1111/echo.15135. Epub 2021 Jun 29.

Abstract

Pericarditis is a rare but debilitating complication of cytarabine therapy. While echocardiography can aid with the diagnosis, cardiac MRI has superior accuracy in establishing the diagnosis. In this case, we describe a 65-year-old patient receiving cytarabine as part of induction chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia who developed acute pericarditis. Her cardiac MRI revealed pericardial edema on T2-weighted STIR imaging and pericardial late gadolinium enhancement which confirmed the diagnosis.

Keywords: cardiac magnetic resonance imaging; cytarabine; echocardiography; pericarditis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Contrast Media
  • Cytarabine* / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Gadolinium
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Pericarditis* / diagnosis
  • Pericarditis* / diagnostic imaging

Substances

  • Contrast Media
  • Cytarabine
  • Gadolinium