Acute vascular ischemic events after cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy for germ-cell tumors of the testis.

Four patients with germ-cell tumors of the testis had acute vascular ischemic events after treatment with cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy. Two patients had myocardial infarctions and two others cerebrovascular accidents. All patients were less than 30 years old and had no significant risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Angiographic studies done in three patients showed no endovascular abnormalities. Raynaud's phenomenon preceded acute myocardial infarction in one patient with angiographic evidence of ergonovine-induced coronary artery spasm. We suggest that major arterial occlusive events may occur as a result of treatment with cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy.