Chemotherapy induced heart failure

I'm curious if anyone has heart failure due to chemotherapy or cardio toxicity. I had chemotherapy for childhood cancer when I was seven. Two years ago, when I was diagnosed with hf, I found out that most likely my condition was caused by the chemo, doxorubicin/ adriamycin. My heart muscle is basically hardened. I received my crt-d in November. My EF is 20-25%. Would love to connect with someone who has a similar history. 

3 Comments

Response to chemo induced hf

by greenB04 - 2022-02-08 15:06:23

Hello JillG,

I have some stiffening of my heart as well from what is believed to be from radiation to the mediating for Hodgekins Lymphoma 25 yes ago. I had afib begin in April of 2021 and could not get it under control, so in September of 2021 I had a pace and ablation. My EF went to 40 and went up to 55 after the procedure. I still have hard days though, keeping control of fluid and have shortness of breath at times. Have even felt as though I could pass out, but they assure me my pacemaker is working. I really don't think that is my issue though I do think it could be that my atrium can run as fast as it wants now because they abated my AV node and am fully paced, I was taken of the antiarthimia meds and beta blocker, but I feel at times that it still affects me. Also have some lung restriction now, probably also from radiation,  although they are saying it is mild. I also had some of the chemo drugs that you had as well. The long term possibilities are coming forward now, it can be scary and depressing at times. Hope this helps.

Thanks for sharing

by JillG - 2022-02-08 15:23:46

I appreciate you sharing your story. Glad to hear you are doing better. It appears that they did not know the long term effects of those drugs or they did but did not disclose. Honestly, it saved my life at the time but wreaks havoc on it now. Obviously, you can relate. I also had radiation in my face and jaw and they do believe radiation could have also been a factor. Even though it was not directly to my chest, the technology to localize radiation was not as precise as it has advanced to now. I have lbbb, non-ischemic cardiomyopathy and hf. Still hoping to see improvements from my device. So far, I've only had issues and not felt any better.  

Ablate and Pace

by AgentX86 - 2022-02-08 21:45:29

The whole point of an AV ablation is to disconnect the atria from the ventricals so that the atria can do their thing without affecting the pumping action of the ventricles. The atria no longer matter.

As far as being off meds, I hope you're still on an anticoagulant. It still matters (to understate the seriousness).

 

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