Acute lower limb ischemia complicating pemetrexed and carboplatin combination chemotherapy for malignant pleural mesothelioma

Annals Italiani di Chirurgia 2014 November [Link]

Valerio S, Bracale UM, Giribono AM, Viviani E, Caioni F, Del Guercio L.

Abstract

Pemetrexed and Carboplatin are two well-known chemioterapic agents used for the treatment of many tumors, especially for lung cancer and mesothelioma. Peripheral ischemic events related to Pemetrexed and Carboplatin are rarely reported. We herein report a case of lower limb acute ischemia related to combined treatment of Pemetrexed and Carboplatin. A 68-year-old woman was given the chemiotherapic treatment with combination of Pemetrexed and Carboplatin after pleural resection for a malignant pleural mesothelioma. Immediately after the second cycle of treatment, the patient experienced sudden acute left lower limb ischemia. Symptoms resolved after an intra-operative thrombolytic and spasmolytic therapy.