Cardiotoxicity is a rare but serious complication of the management of breast cancer, and adjuvant trastuzumab after anthracycline chemotherapy increases congestive heart failure risk. The authors review the efficacy of trastuzumab, its potential for cardiac compromise, and its interaction with anthracyclines. The biological mechanisms that might be responsible for cardiotoxicity are highlighted, and the clinical strategies used to minimize the risk of developing cardiac failure are discussed.
