Assessment of Valvular Disorders in Survivors of Hodgkin's Lymphoma Treated by Mediastinal Radiotherapy ± Chemotherapy.

As the number of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) survivors grows, understanding long-term complications becomes more important. Mediastinal radiotherapy (MRT) seems to cause valvular disease, and the prevalence might increase during follow-up. In this cross-sectional study 82 HL survivors participated (52% men, mean age 47.8 years, 50 treated with MRT). Valvular disease was diagnosed by transthoracic echocardiography and compared between HL survivors treated with and without MRT. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors for valvular disease. During a median follow-up of 13.4 years (range 2 to 39 years), ≥ mild valvular disease was present in 61.2% of HL survivors with MRT (n = 30), compared with 31.0% of HL survivors without MRT (n = 9; odds ratio [OR] 3.51, 95% CI 1.32 to 9.30, p = 0.01). In multivariate analysis, only current age remained predictive for ≥ mild valvular disease (OR 1.08 per year, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.14, p = 0.023). Aortic regurgitation (AR) was most prevalent and irradiated patients had significantly more ≥ mild AR (38.2% vs 6.8%, p = 0.007). Within the MRT subgroup, time after radiation of >15 years was associated with AR (OR 4.70, 95% CI 1.05 to 21.03, p = 0.043), after adjusting for current age and hypertension. Severe valvular disease was present in 24.5% of HL survivors with MRT compared with 3.4% without MRT (p = 0.016). Valvular surgery was performed in 9 HL survivors (18.0%) with MRT and in none without MRT. In conclusion, the prevalence of valvular disease in HL survivors treated with MRT is high and increases with time after irradiation. Long-time screening for valvular disease by transthoracic echocardiography might be worthwhile.

[Recurrent isolated angioedema as a result of acquired C1 inhibitor deficiency]. / Geïsoleerd angio-oedeem door verworven C1-esteraseremmerdeficiëntie.

Isolated angioedema may be the presenting symptom of acquired C1 inhibitor (C1-INH) deficiency. C1-INH deficiency is associated with lymphoproliferative disorders. Treatment of the underlying disease can result in a complete reversal of clinical and complement abnormalities. We describe a 41-year-old woman who was referred to our emergency department with recurrent episodes of isolated angioedema. Initially, her angioedema was linked to the use of angiotensin receptor blockers. However, after discontinuation of this drug angioedema recurred. Additional investigations revealed the presence of acquired C1-INH deficiency caused by an indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Treatment with rituximab resulted in complete clinical and biochemical remission of the acquired angioedema.