Hydroxychloroquine-Induced Cardiomyopathy in a Young Female With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Case Report

TL;DR

A young woman with lupus developed reversible heart issues from hydroxychloroquine, highlighting the need for careful monitoring.

Contribution

This case report highlights a rare but reversible instance of HCQ-induced cardiomyopathy in a young SLE patient.

Findings

Discontinuation of HCQ and GDMT led to recovery of cardiac function.

Early recognition and monitoring are crucial for managing HCQ-induced cardiomyopathy.

Patients on long-term HCQ therapy should be closely monitored for cardiovascular effects.

Abstract

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is widely used in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and other autoimmune diseases due to its immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. Although generally well-tolerated, rare cases of HCQ-induced cardiomyopathy have been reported, often leading to irreversible cardiac dysfunction. We present a case of a 21-year-old female with SLE and biopsy-proven class II lupus nephritis who developed reversible cardiomyopathy associated with HCQ use. Prompt discontinuation of HCQ and initiation of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) resulted in normalization of cardiac function. This case underscores the importance of early recognition and management of HCQ-induced cardiomyopathy, as well as the need for close cardiovascular monitoring in patients on long-term HCQ therapy.

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