On physical examination, her temperature was 98°F, pulse 83/minute, respiratory rate 18/minute, blood pressure 122/55 mmHg; oxygen saturation was 93% on room air and her weight was 130 lbs. Systemic examination revealed tremors that were related to parkinsonism. Laboratory data showed normal blood counts and normal liver and renal function. The patient was prescribed single agent chemotherapy with liposomal doxorubicin at the dose of 50 mg/m 2 every four weeks.Prior to the administration of the first dose of chemotherapy, she was premedicated with 20 mg of dexamethasone. Twelve minutes after starting the infusion, the patient developed shortness of breath, flushing, feeling warm and dizziness. Her blood pressure increased to 178/75 mmHg, pulse was 74 beats/minute, respiratory rate was 20 breaths/minute and oxygen saturation on room air was 90%. The infusion was discontinued and she was given oxygen via nasal cannula at a rate of two litres per minute, a bolus of 5% dextrose, dexamethasone 20 mg and diphenhydramine 50 mg intravenously. The patient's condition improved over the next 40 minutes and she was discharged in a stable condition.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.