Panitumumab-Induced Severe Hypomagnesemia and Risk of Atrial Fibrillation and QT Prolongation: An Electrophysiologic Perspective

AuthorAzin Alizadehaslen
AuthorHaniyeh Faraji Azaden
AuthorSara Adimien
AuthorAmirhossein Shirinezhaden
OrcidAzin Alizadehasl [0000-0002-8550-1378]en
OrcidSara Adimi [0000-0002-1060-6036]en
OrcidAmirhossein Shirinezhad [0009-0003-7718-1938]en
Accessioned Date2026-08-08T20:22:21Z
Issued Date2026-12-31en
AbstractIntroduction: Panitumumab-induced hypomagnesemia disrupts calcium and potassium channel function, prolongs the corrected QT (QTc) interval, and may create a substrate for atrial arrhythmogenesis. We describe a patient with metastatic colon cancer who developed severe hypomagnesemia and marked QTc prolongation during panitumumab therapy; however, atrial fibrillation did not occur. This case demonstrates rapid electrophysiological recovery after magnesium repletion and underscores the importance of cardiac monitoring in patients receiving epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors. Case Presentation: A 68-year-old man with metastatic colon cancer receiving folinic acid, fluorouracil, and irinotecan plus panitumumab developed progressive hypomagnesemia, with the serum magnesium level decreasing from 0.78 mmol/L at baseline to 0.33 mmol/L by cycle 8, accompanied by hypokalemia. He remained asymptomatic. Before cycle 9, electrocardiography showed normal sinus rhythm without atrial fibrillation; however, the QTc interval had increased by 50 ms from baseline, from 410 to 460 ms. Panitumumab was withheld, and magnesium and potassium were repleted. Follow-up electrocardiography showed normalization of the QTc interval to 415 ms without atrial or ventricular arrhythmia. Conclusions: Panitumumab can cause clinically silent yet progressive hypomagnesemia, which may disrupt cardiac conduction and increase the risk of arrhythmias. Timely electrolyte repletion may reverse QTc prolongation, prevent arrhythmias, and allow continuation of anticancer therapy. Vigilant monitoring and prompt intervention are essential.en
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.69107/mca-172632en
URIhttps://brieflands.com/journals/mca/articles/172632en
URIhttps://repository.brieflands.com/handle/123456789/68098
KeywordPanitumumaben
KeywordHypomagnesemiaen
KeywordAtrial Fibrillationen
KeywordProlonged QTcen
KeywordElectrophysiologyen
PublisherBrieflandsen
TitlePanitumumab-Induced Severe Hypomagnesemia and Risk of Atrial Fibrillation and QT Prolongation: An Electrophysiologic Perspectiveen
TypeCase Reporten

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