Bortezomib/dexamethasone

Abstract

Bortezomib/dexamethasone COVID-19 infection: case reportA male patient [age not stated] developed COVID-19 infection following treatment with bortezomib and dexamethasone for multiple myeloma.The male patient was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in July 2020. He had various co-morbidities. On 16 July 2020, he started receiving chemotherapy with bortezomib and dexamethasone in pulses [routes and dosages not stated]. However, 12 days after initiation of chemotherapy, he presented with cough, feverish condition and desaturation. He was hospitalised. Tomography revealed ground glass lesions. PCR nasal swab was found to be positive for Sars-CoV-2. He was diagnosed with COVID-19 infection, suspected to be secondary to dexamethasone and bortezomib therapy [time to reaction onset not clearly stated].The male patient was treated with enoxaparin sodium and off-label dexamethasone and unspecified antibiotic therapy as per institutional protocol. On the 10 th day of COVID-19 infection, he presented with atypical chest pain of strong intensity. He experienced a progressive increase in cardiac enzymes and haemodynamic instability. He was transferred to the ICU. Cardiac catheterisation did not show any coronary lesions and only demonstrated impaired cardiac function. Cardiac MRI revealed an inactive area in the inferior wall. He developed ventricular tachycardia. Subsequently, clinical stabilisation was achieved. Thereafter, he underwent a new cardiac catheterisation. However, he progressed to refractory cardiogenic shock and died on 15 August 2020.