Cisplatin is one of the frequently used chemotherapeutic agents. Common side effects such as vomiting, nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity and neurotoxicity are well known, though Cisplatin is also thought to activate destructive processes in blood vessels, including all types of arteries. Not only can it cause long-term cardiovascular complications (myocardial infarction, hypertension, and stroke), but also such complications during or shortly after its systemic administration. In a significant portion of patients, with up to 9% in some studies, thromboembolic events are encountered.1,2 In most of the cases, this concerns a venous thromboembolic event, though arterial thromboembolic events should not be neglected as it predicts a bad prognosis and significantly increased mortality risk, especially in cancer patients receiving other prothrombotic chemotherapies or when certain comorbidities are present that enhance the risk of thromboembolism.3 During a short period, we encountered four patients with arterial thromboembolic events while receiving Cisplatin-based therapy, of which three patients had a renal infarction. It should be noted that each patient had a different type of malignancy and Cisplatin was administered in combination with other therapeutic agents.
(BELG J MED ONCOL 2018:12(3):125–129)
