Dramatic Recovery from Cardiovascular Collapse: Paclitaxel as an Urgent Treatment for Primary Cardiac Angiosarcoma

Intern Med. 2021 Jan 1;60(1):67-71. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.5420-20. Epub 2020 Aug 22.

Abstract

We herein report three patients with cardiac angiosarcoma who were directly admitted to the intensive-care unit for hemodynamic instability with circulatory collapse. Using a multidisciplinary cardio-oncologic approach, we diagnosed their condition as angiosarcoma by an invasive biopsy and urgently started weekly paclitaxel administration despite their poor performance status. Their vital signs were soon stabilized, leading to the patients' discharge from the hospital. Although no treatment guidelines for cardiac angiosarcoma have been established, chemotherapy with paclitaxel can be an option for cases presenting with hemodynamic instability.

Keywords: cardiac angiosarcoma; cardio-oncology; chemotherapy; hemodynamic instability; paclitaxel; rare malignant tumor.

MeSH terms

  • Heart Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Hemangiosarcoma* / diagnosis
  • Hemangiosarcoma* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Paclitaxel
  • Shock*

Substances

  • Paclitaxel