Chylous pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade in a child treated with imatinib.

Chylous pericardial effusions are extremely rare outside of thoracic and cardiac surgery patients. We report the case of an 8-year-old girl with history of recurrent benign giant cell granulomas who developed a large chylous pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade soon after beginning therapy with imatinib. In this article, we discuss the presentation, diagnosis, and management and review the published literature of this rarely reported side effect of this medication.

Minoxidil-associated pericardial effusion and impending tamponade.

ABSTRACT: A patient with a large pericardial effusion and impending tamponade exhibited clinical improvement with urgent pericardiocentesis. Further workup ruled minoxidil to be the likely cause of the effusion. After discontinuation of minoxidil, the effusion did not recur.

Azacitidine-induced massive pericardial effusion in a child with myelodysplastic syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Pericardial effusions are rare yet potentially fatal conditions in children. Azacitidine is a DNA-hypomethylating agent used in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome. Although seldomly described in adults, no cases of azacitidine-induced pericardial effusion have been reported in children. CASE REPORT: A 7-year-old boy with myelodysplastic syndrome presented with a large pericardial effusion with risk for cardiac tamponade after his first azacitidine cycle. MANAGEMENT & OUTCOME: The patient was admitted to a pediatric ICU, antibiotic and steroid therapy were initiated. Pericardiocentesis was done due to hemodynamic instability. Serum and pericardial fluid complementary evaluation excluded infectious and malignant causes. The pericardial effusion did not reappear and additional pleural and ascitic slight effusions responded well to diuretics. Follow-up azacitidine cycles were administered by tapering daily dosages and using adjunctive steroid therapy, with no additional adverse events. DISCUSSION: We report the first pediatric case of large pericardial effusion secondary to azacitidine therapy in a child with MDS. This adverse reaction has not been described in pediatric patients, in which this therapeutic option has been increasingly used. We seek to raise awareness on the potential life-threatening cardiotoxicity of azacitidine in pediatric patients.

Pericardial effusion with pembrolizumab.

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has profoundly changed on account of the arrival of new therapies, like immunotherapy. Within this group of drugs, those aimed at the programmed cell death-1 or programmed cell death ligand-1(PD1/PDL-1) are very relevant, for example, Pembrolizumab. Although its adverse reactions are generally mild and well tolerated, it has been associated with certain immune-related adverse events (IrAEs) than can be serious and affect any organ. CASE REPORT: A 62-year-old woman diagnosed with stage IV NSCLC with a single bone metastasis and PD-L1 expression of 60% started treatment with cisplatin-pemetrexed-pembrolizumab, and maintenance with pembrolizumab. MANAGEMENT AND OUTCOME: The patient attended the ER with pericardial effusion that was assumed to be a Pembrolizumab IrAE and was managed with corticosteroids. The patient fully recovered but immunotherapy was not reintroduced due to the severity of the AE. DISCUSSION: The cardiovascular system is among the least affected organs by immunotoxicity, with an incidence between 0.09-0.6%. However, some authors suspect the incidence is underestimated. Median time to onset is highly variable, ranging from 6 weeks since the first dose to 2 years after discontinuation of the treatment. There are not guidelines on the most effective management of the IrAEs, but according to the pharmaceutical reference, corticosteroids should be initiated followed by a progressive reduction. If no response is obtained, another immunosuppressive agent should be added. The determination to restart immunotherapy depends on the severity of the adverse reaction, the availability of other alternative treatments, and the cancer response.

Non hemorrhagic pericardial effusion from ibrutinib In a patient without comorbidities.

INTRODUCTION: The most common kind of leukemia in adults is chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). CLL is treated with ibrutinib. During the course of ibrutinib therapy, bleeding and cardiac arrhythmias may occur. Non-hemorrhagic adverse events are extremely infrequent in individuals using ibrutinib. CASE REPORT: A 64 year-old man was diagnosed with CLL in June 2016. He was treated with 6 courses of FCR, he stayed in remission for 3 years and then relapsed. He achieved partial remission after two months of therapy with ibrutinib. The patient was admitted to the hospital with fever and shortness of breath. Pericardial tamponade and effusion was diagnosed during his evaluation. MANAGEMENT & OUTCOME: Non-hemorrhagic exudative effusion was drained by pericardiocentesis and a pericardial catheter was inserted to drain pericardial effusion. In all pleural and pericardial effusion samples, pathological and flow cytometric examination revealed no atypical malignant cells for malignancy, including CLL. Infections, both bacterial and viral, were also undetectable in the samples, as were rheumatological markers of collagen vascular disease. Ibrutinib therapy was discontinued. The pericardial effusion and tamponade were linked to ibrutinib treatment after evaluating the adverse drug reaction probability scale with a total score of 6. Colchicine was administered to reduce the pericardial effusion. The catheter was removed; pericardial effusion did not reoccur during follow up visits. DISCUSSION: Serious adverse events of ibrutinib are seen when treating CLL patients. This group of individuals should be closely monitored for potentially serious complications such as pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade.

The Efficacy, Safety, and Side Effects of Intrapericardial Triamcinolone Treatment in Children with Post-surgical Pericardial Effusion: A Case Series.

Intrapericardial triamcinolone can be used to treat chronic pericardial effusion (PE) in adults; however, pediatric data are lacking. In this case series we aim to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and side effects of intrapericardial triamcinolone in children with PE. The incidence and treatment of post-surgical PE from 2009 to 2019 were determined using the institutional surgical database and electronic patient records. Furthermore, a retrospective analysis of efficacy, safety, and side effects of intrapericardial triamcinolone treatment for chronic post-surgical PE was performed. The incidence of postoperative PE requiring treatment was highest after atrial septal defect (ASD) closure when compared to other types of cardiac surgery (9.7% vs 4.3%). Intrapericardial treatment with triamcinolone resolved pericardial effusion in 3 out of 4 patients. All patients developed significant systemic side effects. Surgical ASD closure is associated with an increased risk of development of PE requiring treatment. Intrapericardial triamcinolone is an effective treatment for chronic postoperative PE in children, but is always associated with significant systemic side effects. Close monitoring and treatment of adrenal insufficiency are mandatory in these cases.

Signs of early cardiac tamponade induced by Minoxidil.

Minoxidil is an antihypertensive that works by directly dilating peripheral vessels. This medication is typically reserved for patients with resistant hypertension, whose blood pressure remains above goal despite being on multiple agents. A rare but potentially dangerous side effect of Minoxidil is drug-induced pericardial effusion. Here we report a case of a patient who was taking Minoxidil and subsequently developed a large pericardial effusion, with concerns for impending cardiac tamponade.

Trastuzumab-emtansine induced pleural and pericardial effusions.

INTRODUCTION: Trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) is an antibody-drug conjugate which combine trastuzumab (T), a monoclonal antibody targeting the human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2), and a cytotoxic molecule derived from maytansine (DM1). CASE REPORT: We report the first case of T-DM1-associated pleural and pericardial effusions three weeks after the second course of T-DM1 in a patient with breast cancer. Drug-induced pleural and pericardial effusions was implicated in the absence of other etiologies. The Naranjo Scale indicated a probable drug-induced adverse reaction.Management & outcome: The patient fully recovered after thoracentesis and discontinuation of T-DM1. The patient has reported no side effect after the sixth course of trastuzumab. DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, this is the first case in the literature of bilateral pleural and pericardial effusions in a patient treated with T-DM1. The successful initiation of treatment with trastuzumab following withdrawal of T-DM1 suggests that emtansine played a role in the development of bilateral pleural and pericardial effusions. We hypothesize that the patient's condition was a result of a local inflammatory reaction to emtansine by direct toxicity.

Lupus-like symptoms with anti-RNP/Sm and anti-nuclear antibodies positivity: An extremely rare adverse event of dasatinib.

INTRODUCTION: Dasatinib is a potent tyrosine-kinase inhibitor which is used for chronic myeloid leukemia treatment. Pleural effusion is a frequent side effect in patients during dasatinib treatment. Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a rare and life-threatening adverse event of dasatinib. The relationship between dasatinib and autoimmune disorders is unclear, but there are reports of possible mechanisms that have triggered autoimmunity by dasatinib. CASE REPORT: A 53-year-old male was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia and initiated imatinib mesylate as a treatment. Imatinib was changed to dasatinib as the patient was unresponsive in the first year of treatment. In the fourth year of dasatinib when chronic myeloid leukemia was in both hematological and cytogenetical remission, the patient presented with bilateral massive exudative pleural effusion. Echocardiography was consistent with pericardial effusion with right ventricle enlargement and normal left-side cardiac function. Pulmonary arterial hypertension was diagnosed with high systolic pulmonary arterial pressure. When he had fever and arthralgia, further investigation showed positivity of anti-nuclear antibodies (1/160 titer) and anti-RNP/Sm, which have high specificity for the diagnosis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). MANAGEMENT AND OUTCOME: Dasatinib was discontinued and nilotinib was initiated. As the pleural effusion persisted despite diuretics and methylprednisolone, mycophenolate mofetil was initiated as a steroid-sparing immune-suppressive agent. The lupus-like symptoms disappeared, and antibodies became undetectable after dasatinib discontinuation. Pericardial effusion improved and pleural effusion did not relapse. DISCUSSION: Screening for auto-antibodies may be recommended for patients with a history or symptoms of autoimmune disease before starting dasatinib. All patients who develop pleural effusion while on dasatinib treatment should be investigated for antibodies for lupus.

Spontaneous bilateral haemothorax with haemopericardium secondary to rivaroxaban.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Although the risk of major bleeding with non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) is low, life-threatening bleeding can occur. CASE SUMMARY: We report a case of an 81-year-old female with deep vein thrombosis who developed bilateral spontaneous haemothorax and haemopericardium after rivaroxaban therapy. Diagnostic thoracentesis revealed a grossly bloody pleural effusion. She was treated with factor eight inhibitor bypassing agent, but the result was not satisfactory. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first case report of a concomitant presentation of spontaneous bilateral haemothorax and haemopericardium due to rivaroxaban use. This case highlights the potential risk of major haemorrhagic complication of NOAC, which could be life-threatening and require emergent reversal.

Valproic acid associated pleuropericardial effusion: case report.

Introduction - Valproic acid is an effective antiepileptic and mood stabilizer used in the treatment of many neurological and psychiatric disorders. Although there are frequently seen side effects, effusions between layers of pleural and pericardial membranes are rare to be seen. Case - Pleuropericardial effusion was detected in a 23 years old woman who was under valproic acid treatment because of epileptic seizure. After 1 year of valproic acid treatment, patient complained of dyspnea. As all the researches intended on etiology were usual, valproic acid has been thought to be responsible for the matter. Control examination after 1.5 months regarding the end of treatment revealed complete recovery of pleuropericardial effusion. Discussion - Pleural and pericardial effusions are rarely seen complications related to the use of valproic acid. It must also be kept in mind that valproic acid causes a potential for such side effects which can be blamed etiologically when the other possibilities for patients are excluded.

Fatal acute haemopericardium associated with rivaroxaban in a patient with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

An 82-year-old female was admitted with chest pain and non-specific T wave changes on her ECG. After 72 hours of conservative management she deteriorated with non-specific symptoms including nausea and a single episode of vomiting. Abdominal and Chest X-rays were unremarkable, blood tests showed worsening Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) on Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD); and raised C-Reactive Protein (CRP) with no obvious symptoms or focus of infection. She rapidly deteriorated going into asystole cardiac arrest and attempts at resuscitation failed. Post-mortem examination suggested the most likely cause of death was acute spontaneous Haemopericardium due to Rivaroxaban therapy which she was on for non-valvular Atrial Fibrillation (AF). We believe that this might be the first reported mortality with Rivaroxaban-associated spontaneous haemopericardium in the UK.

Azacitidine-associated pleuropericardial effusion in myelodysplastic syndrome: A case report.

Azacitidine, a deoxyribonucleic acid hypomethylating agent, is used in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome. Common adverse effects of azacitidine include bone marrow suppression, injection site reactions, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue. This report focuses on pleuropericardial effusions, an infrequently reported and potentially reversible adverse effect of azacitidine. In this case report, pleuropericardial effusion manifested as the sole radiographic finding in the evaluation of cough occurring during the eighth cycle of treatment with azacitidine. Symptoms and radiographic abnormalities resolved with corticosteroids and diuretics, and the patient could continue with therapy.

Infliximab Induced Cardiac Tamponade

Aim To report the first case of cardiac tamponade related to Infliximab induction therapy in an Ulcerative Colitis patient. Methods Review of published case reports. Results This complication was likely due to a type 3 hypersensitivity immune-complex reaction resulting in a reactive pericardial effusion Discussion Though rare, this case demonstrates how autoimmune reaction to anti-TNF𝛼 therapy can initially mimic infection, as our patient presented with tachycardia, hypotension, raised inflammatory and infective markers and fever.

[A Case of Pericardial Effusion Induced by Nivolumab for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma].

A 72-year-old female with left renal cell carcinoma and lymphadenopathy had undergone hand-assisted laparoscopic left nephrectomy and dissection of the lymph node (papillary renal cell carcinoma, type 2, pT3a pN2 M1). She had been treated with adjuvant chemotherapy with sunitinib, temsirolimus and pazopanib. However, the patient was started on nivolumab due to disease progression. After receiving 5 cycles of nivolumab, she was admitted to our emergency room for chest discomfort and appetite loss. Since computed tomographic (CT) scan showed pericardial effusion, we performed pericardiocentesis. Cytological examination of the pericardial effusion demonstrated leukocytes and no malignant cells. CT scan two weeks after cardiocentesis showed no recurrent pericardial effusion. She became stable with nivolumab, but the administration of nivolumab was discontinued and she started receiving axitinib.

Nivolumab-Induced Pericardial Tamponade: A Case Report and Discussion.

Nivolumab, a programmed death 1 (PD1) inhibitor, belongs to a family of drugs known as immune checkpoint inhibitors that share a similar toxicity profile, which includes rash, pruritus, colitis, hepatitis, pneumonitis and thyroid dysfunction. Nivolumab has a proven efficacy in the treatment of malignant melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer and renal cell carcinoma. We present the case of a 67-year-old male patient with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the lung who suffered from a massive pericardial effusion secondary to treatment with nivolumab, which he began in June 2015. After five cycles the patient was hospitalized due to acute respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. An echocardiogram revealed a massive pericardial effusion with tamponade. After pericardiocentesis and corticosteroid treatment, the patient's condition improved rapidly. A CT scan revealed a response of the tumor. Although anti-PD1 treatment is usually regarded as less toxic than chemotherapy, a wide spectrum of life-threatening immune-related side effects may still occur and clinical vigilance is required.

Docetaxel-induced pericardial effusion.

Hypersensitivity reactions, cumulative fluid retention, and neurotoxicity are frequently seen toxicities related to docetaxel. Fluid retention may be present as edema, weight gain, or third place fluid collection. Pericardial effusion is rarely seen with docetaxel treatment. We report a 58-year-old female patient who was presented with pericardial tamponade after three cycles of docetaxel therapy.

Pericardial tamponade due to haemorrhagic pericardial effusion as a complication of prasugrel: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Striking an adequate balance between bleeding risks and prevention of stent thrombosis can be challenging in the setting of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug eluting stents (DES) in acute myocardial infarction (MI). This is more pronounced in patients treated with both low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). Prasugrel, a second generation thienopyridine with more potent platelet inhibition capability, is associated with significant bleeding risks. This risk of bleeding is often underestimated when prescribing pharmacological agents such as DAPT and LMWH, designed to reduce ischaemic events following PCI in acute MI. Life-threatening haemorrhagic pericardial and pleural effusions not associated with access site bleeding are a rare example of such bleeding complications. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a Bangladeshi male who developed cardiac tamponade resulting from haemorrhagic pericardial effusion as well as bilateral pleural effusions, 9 days after PCI with a DES, while on prasugrel and aspirin. He had presented late with inferior ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and was therefore also given enoxaparin initially. Haemorrhagic pericardial and pleural fluid were drained, and the patient was discharged on DAPT comprising of aspirin and clopidogrel. Following PCI to obtuse marginal, which was done as a staged procedure 6 months later, he was commenced on ticagrelor instead of clopidogrel. He developed no further bleeding complications over 1 year of follow up. CONCLUSION: Non-access site bleeding such as this, leading to haemorrhagic pericardial and pleural effusions can be rare and life-threatening. Furthermore, patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) have marked variation in their risk of major bleeding. Since haemorrhagic complications are associated with mortality, maintaining a balance between the risk of recurrent ischemia and that of bleeding is of paramount importance. The use of validated bleeding risk scores, careful monitoring of patients on DAPT with LMWH, or a switch over to agents with lesser risk of bleeding may reduce such complications.