Breathless Balance: Navigating Pembrolizumab-Induced Pneumonitis and Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Exacerbation.
Publication/Presentation Date
7-1-2025
Abstract
Immune checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab have transformed oncology but carry the risk of immune-related adverse events (irAE), including pneumonitis. We report a case of a 66-year-old male with multiple cardiac comorbidities who presented with acute hypoxic respiratory failure two months after discontinuing pembrolizumab due to repeated respiratory complaints. Imaging showed bilateral infiltrates and ground-glass opacities; infectious workup was negative. He was treated with corticosteroids for combined pembrolizumab-induced pneumonitis and diuretics for concurrent chronic heart failure exacerbation. Symptoms improved with supportive care and immunotherapy suspension. This case highlights the diagnostic challenge of differentiating irAE pneumonitis from infection or congestive heart failure (CHF) and underscores the need for early recognition in high-risk patients.
Volume
17
Issue
7
First Page
87150
Last Page
87150
ISSN
2168-8184
Published In/Presented At
Hall, P., Miller, C., Ahmad, A., Akl, K., & Litinski, M. (2025). Breathless Balance: Navigating Pembrolizumab-Induced Pneumonitis and Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) Exacerbation. Cureus, 17(7), e87150. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.87150
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
40755596
Department(s)
Department of Medicine
Document Type
Article