Cardiotoxicity may be caused by chemotherapy (a usual example is the class of anthracyclines)[3][4] treatment and/or radiotherapy;[5] complications from anorexia nervosa; adverse effects of heavy metals intake;[6] the long-term abuse of or ingestion at high doses of certain strong stimulants such as cocaine;[7] or an incorrectly administered drug such as bupivacaine.
While many times, differing etiologies share the same mechanism, it generally depends on the agent inducing cardiac damage.
[8] It is thought that reactive oxygen species (ROS) overwhelm the antioxidant defenses of cardiac cells, causing direct cellular damage.
[11] Regardless of the mechanism, clinical manifestations include heart failure, arrhythmia, myocarditis, and cardiomyopathy that can be permanent.
The management varies on the damage sustained, but generally follows guidelines for each condition such as heart failure, arrhythmias, and myocarditis.