Herceptin

How much information is there concerning heart problems with the use of Herceptin. I have also had adrimyicin? If you get congestive heart failure and stop the herceptin will the heart go back to normal?

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear Jean:  Use of herceptin has been associated with cardiotoxicity, including heart failure.  The percentages vary according to what drugs are used in combination with herceptin.  The highest rate of toxicity occurred in people who were treated with an anthracycline (Adriamycin) combined with herceptin.  It also appeared that advanced age increased the probability of cardiotoxity from herceptin.  The manufacturer suggests extreme caution in delivering herceptin to people with baseline cardiac dysfunction.  It also recommends frequent monitoring for cardiotoxicities.  In many cases, early cardiac symptoms of dysfunction were reversed with the discontinuation of herceptin and/or other medical interventions.  There have been cases of irreversible congestive heart failure.  It should be noted that herceptin is effective in treating her2/neu positive breast cancer.  A thorough cardiac workup should be done prior to its use.