Pembrolizumab-Induced Mobitz Type 2 Second-Degree Atrioventricular Block

Pembrolizumab is a monoclonal antibody directed towards programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and is an antineoplastic drug which has a growing variety of oncologic uses. Pembrolizumab is commonly associated with immune-related adverse events (IRAEs) but is infrequently noted to cause cardiotoxicit...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Alisha Khan, Sana Riaz, Robert Carhart
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2020-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Cardiology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/8428210
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Summary:Pembrolizumab is a monoclonal antibody directed towards programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and is an antineoplastic drug which has a growing variety of oncologic uses. Pembrolizumab is commonly associated with immune-related adverse events (IRAEs) but is infrequently noted to cause cardiotoxicities such as myocarditis, arrhythmias, and heart failure. The following case report illustrates the clinical course of a 67-year-old female patient with stage IV non-small-cell lung cancer who developed Mobitz type 2 second-degree atrioventricular block three weeks after receiving her first infusion of pembrolizumab. Within a few hours of presentation, she progressed to symptomatic complete heart block requiring emergent placement of a temporary transvenous pacemaker. The article further discusses proposed mechanisms to explain IRAEs and management of IRAEs. We conclude by recommending a higher degree of caution and awareness among all physicians when treating patients on immunotherapy and a multidisciplinary approach when considering resumption of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
ISSN:2090-6404
2090-6412