Antimalarial-Mediated Cardiotoxicity: Evaluation and Preliminary Screening Recommendations For Patients on Chronic Therapy for Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases

An article , published on February 18, 2025 in the American College of Cardiology by DiGregorio and colleagues, highlights preliminary screening recommendations for cardiotoxicity associated with antimalarial (AM) therapy among patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

The article discusses the risks of AM therapy-induced cardiotoxicity, particularly in patients using AM drugs long-term for autoimmune diseases like lupus. With increasing numbers of individuals undergoing chronic AM treatment, there's a growing need for effective screening methods to detect potential heart damage. The article provides a case study of a 65-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus, treated for 40 years with hydroxychloroquine, who presented with progressive heart symptoms. Diagnostic tests showed severe heart dysfunction, which was later confirmed to be due to AM cardiotoxicity. The article emphasizes the importance of early detection, especially in patients with moderate or high risk. Due to the lack of robust clinical trials, preliminary screening guidelines are suggested, highlighting the need for further research to formalize effective screening protocols.

Read the published article here.

Figure 3: Antimalarial Cardiotoxicity: Risk-Based Approach to Drug Monitoring and Evaluation in Symptomatic Patients or Patients With New Abnormal Findings on Drug Monitoring ECG/TTE (1)

Reference:

(1) DiGregorio H, Costenbader K, Garshick MS, Weber B, Harvey PJ. Antimalarial-Mediated Cardiotoxicity: Evaluation and Preliminary Screening Recommendations for Patients on Chronic Therapy for Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases. http://www.acc.org. Feb 18, 2025. https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/Articles/2025/02/14/16/19/Antimalarial-Mediated-Cardiotoxicity