[Cardiovascular complications of alpha interferon]

Gastroenterol Clin Biol. 2007 Dec;31(12):1081-4. doi: 10.1016/s0399-8320(07)78339-2.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Interferon-alpha is a biological response modifier with antiviral and tumoral effect that is used in the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis. Cardiovascular complications occurred in clinical trials of interferon. The most common presentations of cardio toxicity were cardiac arrhythmia, dilated cardiomyopathy, atrial extrasystole and symptoms of ischemic heart disease, including myocardial infarction and other effects less common and dangerous: low-level conduction impairment or reversible hypertension. The physiopathology of this cardiotoxicity remains unknown, but rigorous cardiological monitoring of all patients receiving this treatment seems necessary.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / adverse effects*
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / etiology
  • Atrial Premature Complexes / etiology
  • Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / etiology
  • Heart Diseases / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / adverse effects
  • Interferon-alpha / adverse effects*
  • Myocardial Ischemia / etiology

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Interferon-alpha