[Reversible cardiomyopathy secondary to interferon-alpha in chronic myelogenous leukemia].

Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) has been accepted as an effective agent in the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemias (CML). Cardiac toxicity of IFN-alpha has rarely been reported in cases of CML. A 62-year-old woman with a two-year history of chronic myelogenous leukemia who had been treated with IFN-alpha (10 million U/3 days/week) given subcutaneously with oral hydroxycarbamide 500 mg, presented with chest pain, dyspnea and subconsciousness. Chest X-ray revealed cardiomegaly and congestion, and ultrasonography showed diffuse hypokinesis of the heart with decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 34%. She was diagnosed cardiomyopathy caused by IFN-alpha administration. She was treated with furosemide, dobutamine hydrochloride, milrinone and carperitide. The administration of IFN-alpha was terminated. LVEF was improved to 50% within one month from the onset of events, and the patient was discharged. We discuss herein the cardiomyopathy caused by IFN-alpha in CML.