Rapid Onset and Resolution of Hydroxychloroquine Cardiomyopathy: A Case Report

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune, chronic, and heterogenous disease with organ damage resulting from immune complex deposition and inflammatory infiltrates. Antimalarial drugs, such as hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), are cornerstone immunomodulators for the treatment of SLE. Rarely, HCQ...

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Main Authors: Ahmad Ramahi, Amer Heider, J. Michelle Kahlenberg
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2022-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Rheumatology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2022/6503453
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author Ahmad Ramahi
Amer Heider
J. Michelle Kahlenberg
author_facet Ahmad Ramahi
Amer Heider
J. Michelle Kahlenberg
author_sort Ahmad Ramahi
collection DOAJ
description Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune, chronic, and heterogenous disease with organ damage resulting from immune complex deposition and inflammatory infiltrates. Antimalarial drugs, such as hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), are cornerstone immunomodulators for the treatment of SLE. Rarely, HCQ toxicity can occur, leading to devastating outcomes. We report a case of a patient with SLE on HCQ who presented with a rapid onset of large pericardial effusion and a dramatically decreased left ventricular ejection fraction. Endomyocardial biopsy was positive for curvilinear bodies, confirming the diagnosis of hydroxychloroquine cardiotoxicity. Hydroxychloroquine cardiomyopathy is a rare but life-threatening medication side effect. It is important to consider it in any patient taking the medication who presents with a new onset or worsening symptoms of heart failure.
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spelling doaj-art-c92ee32963ba4f278c8e1d94859ab77d2025-08-20T02:19:42ZengWileyCase Reports in Rheumatology2090-68972022-01-01202210.1155/2022/6503453Rapid Onset and Resolution of Hydroxychloroquine Cardiomyopathy: A Case ReportAhmad Ramahi0Amer Heider1J. Michelle Kahlenberg2Division of RheumatologyDepartment of PathologyDivision of RheumatologySystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune, chronic, and heterogenous disease with organ damage resulting from immune complex deposition and inflammatory infiltrates. Antimalarial drugs, such as hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), are cornerstone immunomodulators for the treatment of SLE. Rarely, HCQ toxicity can occur, leading to devastating outcomes. We report a case of a patient with SLE on HCQ who presented with a rapid onset of large pericardial effusion and a dramatically decreased left ventricular ejection fraction. Endomyocardial biopsy was positive for curvilinear bodies, confirming the diagnosis of hydroxychloroquine cardiotoxicity. Hydroxychloroquine cardiomyopathy is a rare but life-threatening medication side effect. It is important to consider it in any patient taking the medication who presents with a new onset or worsening symptoms of heart failure.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2022/6503453
spellingShingle Ahmad Ramahi
Amer Heider
J. Michelle Kahlenberg
Rapid Onset and Resolution of Hydroxychloroquine Cardiomyopathy: A Case Report
Case Reports in Rheumatology
title Rapid Onset and Resolution of Hydroxychloroquine Cardiomyopathy: A Case Report
title_full Rapid Onset and Resolution of Hydroxychloroquine Cardiomyopathy: A Case Report
title_fullStr Rapid Onset and Resolution of Hydroxychloroquine Cardiomyopathy: A Case Report
title_full_unstemmed Rapid Onset and Resolution of Hydroxychloroquine Cardiomyopathy: A Case Report
title_short Rapid Onset and Resolution of Hydroxychloroquine Cardiomyopathy: A Case Report
title_sort rapid onset and resolution of hydroxychloroquine cardiomyopathy a case report
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2022/6503453
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