Beta-blockade Intolerance in Anthracycline-induced Cardiomyopathy

Beta-blockade efficiency and safety in anthracycline induced cardiomyopathy (AIC) are poorly documented. Cardiac Heart Failure (CHF) due to an AIC has haemodynamic and histologic particularities: only mild ventricular dilatation, restriction pattern and myocardial and endocardial fibrous thickening. Therefore, beta blockade therapy initiation may cause heart failure decompensation by absence of the usual left ventricular adaptation (improvement of left ventricular compliance allowing maintenance of stroke volume). We describe an AIC patient in whom a first beta-blockade initial administration caused a global cardiac failure; after stabilisation, one month later, a second attempt caused a new cardiac failure. We raise the question of beta-blockade safety in restrictive cardiomyopathies.