Simultaneous Cardiotoxicity and Neurotoxicity Associated with 5-fluorouracil Containing Chemotherapy: A Case Report and Literature Review

We present a case of simultaneous cardiotoxicity and stroke-like neurotoxicity in a patient treated with FOLFOX, a 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU)-containing chemotherapy regimen. Within hours of FOLFOX infusion, the patient began to exhibit signs and symptoms of myocardial ischemia and stroke mimic. Coronary vasoconstriction and vasospasm is a known mechanism of 5-FU-induced cardiotoxicity. 5-FU-induced neurotoxicity commonly presents as encephalopathy and is likely attributable to the accumulation of ammonia, a product of 5-FU metabolism. However, our patient presented with focal neurological signs and normal levels of ammonia. This suggests that 5-FU-induced vasospasm in the coronary arteries and cerebral vasculature is a likely cause of the simultaneous cardiac and neurological events we report here which have not been reported previously. Recognition of these toxicities as complications of 5-FU chemotherapy is crucial for the proper diagnosis and treatment of patients.