Case report: Clinical experience of treating pembrolizumab-induced systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS) in one patient with metastatic gastroesophageal junction squamous cell carcinoma.

Systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS) is a rare and complex adverse effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). The diagnosis of drug-induced SCLS is based on diffuse infusions of exudative fluid into the interstitial areas and the exclusion of other causes. The best management of ICIs-induced SCLS is not settled, though proper supportive care and corticosteroids were commonly applied as the first-line treatment. In our patient with advanced gastroesophageal junction squamous cell carcinoma, although ICIs-induced SCLS was successfully controlled with corticosteroids, the patient soon experienced cancer progress and died of pulmonary infections. Based on our experience and the reported cases by other hospitals, different stages of SCLS might respond differently to the same treatment. Therefore, a grading of ICIs-induced SCLS might help to stratify the patient for different treatment strategies. Besides, corticosteroids-sensitive patients, though waived from deadly SCLS, might be at higher risk of cancer progress and subsequent infections due to the application of corticosteroids. Considering that the inflammatory factors should be closely involved in the development of ICIs-induced SCLS, targeted therapy against the driver inflammatory cytokine might offer treatment regimens that are more effective and safer.

[Research Progress on Capillary Leak Syndrome Associated with Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation--Review].

Capillary leak syndrome (CLS) is a clinical syndrome characterized by impairment of vascular endothelial barrier function, increased vascular permeability, and reversible systemic edema. It is one of the early fatal complications after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. So far, the exact pathogenesis of CLS has not been elucidated, and the diagnostic criteria and treatment methods have not been unified. At present, it is believed that the fundamental cause of CLS is hypercytokinemia, and the core factor is high permeability of vascular endothelial cells. According to the clinical manifestations, the natural course of CLS can be divided into prodrome, leakage and recovery stages. As far as treatment is concerned, symptomatic and supportive treatment is dominant according to different characteristics of each stage. In this review, the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of hematopoietic stem cell transplant-associated CLS were briefly summarized.

Denileukin diftitox-induced systemic capillary leak syndrome with acute kidney injury.

Systemic capillary leak syndrome is a rare and life-threatening disorder, characterized by recurrent episodes of unexplained hypotension, hemoconcentration, and hypoalbuminemia. This condition is caused by leakage of plasma and proteins into the extravascular space and can be classified as either idiopathic or secondary. Secondary systemic capillary leak syndrome can result from cancer, infections, medications, or surgery. Systemic capillary leak syndrome frequently develops as a side effect of denileukin diftitox treatment of refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. However, the pathophysiology of this disease is not well understood. Herein, we report a case of denileukin diftitox-induced systemic capillary leak syndrome.

Idiopathic systemic capillary leak syndrome, a unique complement and interferon mediated endotheliopathy syndrome: The role of the normal skin biopsy in establishing the diagnosis and elucidating pathogenetic mechanisms.

Idiopathic Systemic Capillary Leak Syndrome (ISCLS), also known as Clarkson's Syndrome, is due to primary fluid and protein leak across capillaries that leads to an accumulation of interstitial fluids and cardiovascular collapse from intravascular hypovolemia. Viral infections are a putative trigger of these episodes. ISCLS is typically associated with a monoclonal gammopathy. Here we present four patients with idiopathic systemic capillary leak syndrome. The cohort consists of three men and one woman who range in age from 55 to 72 years old. All of the patients had a monoclonal gammopathy. Two patients had viral triggers. Biopsies of normal skin were examined throughout all phases of the disease. During an acute attack, we identified perivascular mixed CD4+ and CD8+ T cell lymphocytic infiltrates in the superficial dermis. We observed significant microvascular deposits of C5b-9 and upregulation of type I interferon signaling in endothelium along with reduced serum levels of complement during very active disease. We also identified deposits of immunoglobulin along the dermal epidermal junction mirroring the monoclonal immunoglobulin isotype implicated in each patient. During a post treatment recovery or mild disease phase there was reduced inflammation and decreased amounts of C5b-9 and type I interferon expression. Sudden onset capillary leak syndrome reflects enhanced endothelial cell permeability as a unique form of endothelial injury mediated by the combined effects of complement pathway activation and upregulation of type I interferon signaling on endothelium.

Capillary leak syndrome in a patient with cancer-associated anti-transcriptional intermediary factor 1γ dermatomyositis treated with rituximab.

Capillary leak syndrome (CLS) is a rare condition characterised by increased capillary permeability, with subsequent hypoalbuminemia and hypotension, leading to an increased risk of shock and death. We present the case of a patient with anti-transcriptional intermediary factor 1γ dermatomyositis that developed CLS one week after starting treatment with rituximab and prophylactic co-trimoxazole. The patient was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), recovered after treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin, albumin, and Ringer lactate, but died a month after the discharge due to a poorly differentiated hepatocarcinoma diagnosed in the ICU.

[Necrotizing myositis of the thigh : Cause or result of a systemic capillary leak syndrome?] / Nekrotisierende Myositis des Oberschenkels : Ursache oder Folge eines systemischen "Capillary-leak"-Syndroms?

Infectious diseases of the musculoskeletal system are in trauma surgery sometimes the symptoms that most severely impair patients and are a challenge to surgeons, hospitals and the economy of the public healthcare system. The systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS) is a rare idiopathic syndrome that can provoke a fulminant life-threatening progress even if the primary infection is trivial. In addition to a clearly arranged description of the SCLS we report on an affected patient who developed a necrotizing myositis of the right thigh due to an unstable scar.

Fatal Systemic Capillary Leak Syndrome after SARS-CoV-2Vaccination in Patient with Multiple Myeloma.

A young man with smoldering multiple myeloma died of hypotensive shock 2.5 days after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccination. Clinical findings suggested systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS); the patient had experienced a previous suspected flare episode. History of SCLS may indicate higher risk for SCLS after receiving this vaccine.

Capillary leak syndrome: State of the art in 2021.

Capillary leak syndrome (CLS) is an increasingly acknowledged multifaceted and potentially lethal disease. Initial nonspecific symptoms are followed by the intriguing CLS hallmark: the double paradox associating diffuse severe edema and hypovolemia, along with hemoconcentration and hypoalbuminemia. Spontaneous resolutive phase is often associated with poor outcome due to iatrogenic fluid overload during leak phase. CLS is mainly triggered by drugs (anti-tumoral therapies), malignancy, infections (mostly viruses) and inflammatory diseases. Its idiopathic form is named after its eponymous finder: Clarkson's disease. CLS pathophysiology involves a severe, transient and multifactorial endothelial disruption which mechanisms are still unclear. Empirical and based-on-experience treatment implies symptomatic care during the acute phase (with the eventual addition of drugs amplifying cAMP levels in the severest cases), and the prophylactic use of monthly polyvalent immunoglobulins to prevent relapses. As CLS literature is scattered, we aimed to collect and summarize the current knowledge on CLS to facilitate its diagnosis, understanding and management.

[Idiopathic systemic capillary leak syndrome: 2 cases with misleading presentation]. / Syndrome de fuite capillaire idiopathique : 2 cas cliniques de présentation trompeuse.

INTRODUCTION: Idiopathic systemic capillary leak syndrome (ISCLS) also known as Clarkson syndrome is a rare and sudden life-threatening entity. Three consecutive phases are described. A first non-specific prodromal phase often manifests as "flu-like" symptoms and precedes capillary leak phase with major hypovolemic and distributive shock leading to serious and frequent multiorgan dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Severe hypovolemia contrasts with edema, and hemoconcentration with hypoalbuminemia. ISCLS is characterized by these two clinical and biological paradoxes. Subsequent recovery phase exhibits organ function restoration along with interstitial/intravascular volumes normalization. The latter occurs spontaneously and systematically in patients surviving from leak phase. OBSERVATIONS: We report here two ISCLS cases admitted in intensive care unit (ICU) both enhancing initial misdiagnosis possibly lowering prognosis and outcome. Our first 28-year-old female patient was admitted for « polycythemia vera ¼ although hemoconcentration was attributable to hypovolemia. She presented circulatory arrest during the second bloodletting session and complicated with MODS. In and out ICU favorable outcome was noted on intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. A second 57-year-old male patient was admitted in ICU for severe "myositis" (myalgia and rhabdomyolysis) although rectified diagnosis retained compartment syndrome (muscular severe edema following capillary leak). Rapid and refractory hypovolemic shock appeared with subsequent MODS leading to death. CONCLUSION: ISCLS pathophysiology remains unknown but certainly implies transitory endothelial dysfunction. Impossibility of randomized controlled trial for this exceptional disease led to based-on-experience therapeutic guidelines implying symptomatic care (cardiac output surveillance, nephroprotection, prudent fluid intake, prudent vasoactive amine use) and specific therapies (intravenous aminophylline during severe flares). Although enhancing controversial and even deleterious effects during the acute phase, polyvalent immunoglobulins are effective for relapse prevention. Syndromic diagnosis is difficult, but its precocious finding constitutes a key-element in better outcome before organ failure.

Clinical features of 47 secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis patients complicated with capillary leak syndrome.

The clinical features of patients with secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH) complicated with capillary leak syndrome (CLS) remain controversial. The data of 259 sHLH patients were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, treatment, and prognosis of the CLS-sHLH group and non-CLS-sHLH group were compared. The levels of fibrinogen, albumin, and serum calcium in the CLS-sHLH group were lower than in the non-CLS-sHLH group, and serum triglycerides in the CLS-sHLH group were higher than in the non-CLS-sHLH group (P < 0.05). Univariate analysis showed that fibrinogen level was an independent prognostic factor in sHLH patients complicated with CLS. The median survival time was significantly shorter in patients with fibrinogen ≤ 1.3 g/L than in patients with fibrinogen > 1.3 g/L (P < 0.05). Patients with improved CLS conditions in the CLS-sHLH group had significantly increased albumin and serum calcium after treatment (P < 0.05); patients without improved conditions in the CLS-sHLH group also had significantly increased albumin after treatment (P < 0.05), but the serum calcium did not change significantly (P > 0.05). sHLH patients complicated with CLS had significantly worse prognosis than without CLS. Significant reduction in fibrinogen may be an independent prognostic factor for poor prognosis in sHLH patients complicated with CLS.

Systemic capillary leak syndrome: a rare but potentially life-threatening cause of protein loss and oedema in B cell prolymphocytic leukaemia.

A 64-year-old man had a several year history of B prolymphocytic leukaemia (PLL) which behaved indolently and had not required any treatment. Five years after diagnosis, he developed hypoalbuminaemia associated with severe lower-limb oedema, consistent with systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS). He recovered spontaneously but went on to have three further increasingly severe and protracted episodes over the subsequent 18 months. There was no identifiable precipitating factor for these episodes, but his peripheral lymphocyte count continued to increase slowly. The start of treatment for his PLL with chemoimmunotherapy was followed by a rapid resolution of residual oedema and normalisation of serum albumin. He has had no further attacks of SCLS in the 14 months since he started therapy for PLL. SCLS is a rare consequence of haematological malignancy which may show an excellent response to treatment of the haematological disease.

Systemic capillary leak syndrome triggered by anti-programmed death 1 checkpoint inhibitor in psoriasis.

Programmed death 1 (PD-1) inhibitors are increasingly used for the treatment of malignancies. Despite the clinical benefits, unpredictable and potentially fatal side-effects may occur. We report a psoriatic patient who developed systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS) after starting a PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor. In order to determine which factors could trigger the development of SCLS in a patient with stable psoriasis after starting anti-PD-1 therapy, serum cytokines were serially measured before and after the development of SCLS in this patient. We also retrospectively reviewed 28 previously reported patients presenting clinical exacerbations of pre-existing psoriasis or the de novo induction of psoriasis after anti-PD-1 therapy. In 16 of the 28 patients (57.1%), the interval between last anti-PD-1 therapy and exacerbations of pre-existing psoriasis or the de novo induction of psoriasis was less than 28 days. The timing of the onset of SCLS in this patient was coincident with the increase in lymphocyte counts and at 22 days after last anti-PD-1 therapy. In 75%, however, anti-PD-1 therapy was able to be restarted and was tolerated well. Increased levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α, in addition to a persistent increase in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), were detected at onset of SCLS. An increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines and VEGF, when combined with a rapid and sequential recovery of neutrophils and lymphocytes after anti-PD-1 therapy, would predict the development of SCLS. Clinicians need to be aware that patients with psoriasis are at risk of a potentially fatal disease, SCLS, when anti-PD-1 therapy is started.

Capillary Leak Syndrome From Rituximab Therapy of Lymphoma.

Capillary leak syndrome (CLS) is characterized by plasma extravasation into the interstitium with resultant hypotension, anasarca, hemoconcentration, and hypoalbuminemia in the absence of albuminuria. Initially reported in Clarkson's disease (systemic capillary leak syndrome), CLS has been observed in multiple disease settings, the most common being sepsis. In oncology, CLS has been reported more often as a complication from therapy, and less often from malignancy. In this case study, we documented clinical manifestation, laboratory features, and radiological findings of CLS from rituximab therapy when employed in combination with a multi-agent chemotherapy regimen (EPOCH-R). Differentiating drug-induced CLS from sepsis, which presents with the same clinical features, is important in avoiding further exposure to rituximab, which could be fatal to the patient.

C1 esterase inhibitor in pediatric cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass plays a vital role in activation of the complement system.

Our prospective study was therefore designed to determine which part of the systemic inflammatory response after cardiac operations resulted from Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in neonates and infants. After approval by the human ethical committee of the Gunma Children's Medical Center (GCMC) and informed consent of the parents, 40 consecutive term congenital heart disease patients aged until 1 year who underwent long CPB time (> 3 h) at surgery were included in the prospective study between January 2012 and December 2014. C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-inh) drug (@Berinert) was generously provided by CSL Behring (King of Prussia, PA). The C1-inh (20 IU/kg) was given intravenously 60 min after CPB. Blood samples for complement factors were obtained before and 48 h after administration of C1-inh. Six patients did not survive and their data were not included. Of 34 patients included, median age was 6.5 months, median body weight was 6050 g, and 16 (47%) were female. According to the Mann-Whitney U test, there were no differences between the two groups concerning demographic and intraoperative data, postoperative chemical data. C1q concentration was only significant lower in patients with C1-inh non-treated group than in patients with C1-inh treated group. But, the consumption of C1q, C3, C4, CH50, and C1-inh in patients with C1-inhibitor non-treated group was observed early postoperatively. There is a significant difference in the values before and after C1-inh treatment between the two groups. The lower value in the C1-inh-treated group is explained by the activation of the classical pathway through the replenishment of complements by C1-inh treatment. This study proposes the administration of C1-inh is an effective therapy to reduce the activation and improve the clinical capillary leak syndrome.

Transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy: Diagnostic challenges and management strategies.

Transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) is one of the early endothelial complications post Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT). Several mechanisms during HSCT can contribute to systemic capillary endothelial damage which can lead to TA-TMA among other complications as capillary leak syndrome or engraftment syndrome. Early diagnosis of TA-TMA contributes a challenge due to overlapping clinical manifestations and the absence of specific diagnostic criteria. Incidence is greatly variable between 1-76% according to risk factors of patients and the definition used to confirm the diagnosis. The mortality rates in patients who develop severe TA-TMA are in excess of 80%. Early treatment improves the outcome. This review outlines the diagnostic challenges and therapeutic options for TA-TMA.

Colchicine: An Impressive Effect on Posttransplant Capillary Leak Syndrome and Renal Failure.

Capillary leak syndrome is a critical condition occasionally occurring posttransplant and is characterized by acute endothelial hyperpermeability leading to systemic protein-rich fluid extravasation and consequent hypovolemia, hypoperfusion, and acute kidney injury. Treatment is merely supportive and is based on osmotic drugs, diuretics, continuous renal replacement therapy, and surgical drainage. However, removal of the underlying inflammatory cause is mandatory to achieve stable resolution. Herein, we report the first successful treatment with colchicine in 2 life-threatening pediatric cases of capillary leak syndrome with renal failure occurring after transplant (heart and bone marrow) and unresponsive to any other line of therapy. Both cases were only palliated by supportive therapy and revealed an impressively rapid response to colchicine both in terms of diuresis and clinical condition recovery, allowing for the cessation of renal replacement therapy in a few hours. In both patients, colchicine was temporarily discontinued for transient leukopenia (attributed to an additive effect with mycophenolate mofetil), resulting in extravasation, and renal failure recurrence was restored only after colchicine reintroduction. Although the association of colchicine with an immunosuppressive drug was formerly contraindicated, no other adverse events were noted when using a minimized dose. Both patients are now maintaining a good renal function without recurrence of extravasation after 6 months of follow-up. In conclusion, this strikingly positive experience forces physicians to consider this old and cost-effective drug as a new, powerful rescue tool in such critical cases.

Pitfalls in anaphylaxis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Anaphylaxis is an acute medical emergency characterized by sudden presentation of life-threatening respiratory and cardiovascular symptoms. Rapid diagnosis of anaphylaxis is crucial to implement an appropriate treatment and management plan. However, mistakes in the diagnosis of anaphylaxis may occur because of the limited time during which the diagnosis must be made, the stressful environment of the emergency room, the often aspecific or incomplete clinical features of early anaphylaxis and the lack of useful laboratory markers. RECENT FINDINGS: Several disorders may mimick anaphylaxis and cause wrong or delayed diagnosis increasing chances of fatal outcomes. In addition, certain clinical situations, like general anesthesia, may complicate detection of early signs of anaphylaxis. Drugs like beta-blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme-inhibitors, antihistamines or steroids may hide or blunt initial clinical manifestations of anaphylaxis. SUMMARY: A careful evaluation of clinical signs in all organs is mandatory to quickly establish and confirm a diagnosis of anaphylaxis. Alternative diagnosis should be considered, particularly in the case of unresponsive patients. Avoiding pitfalls in anaphylaxis diagnosis will help to establish rapidly effective treatments and would further reduce the rate of fatal events.

Clinical Presentation, Management, and Prognostic Factors of Idiopathic Systemic Capillary Leak Syndrome: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: The idiopathic systemic capillary leak syndrome is a rare disease characterized by unexplained recurrent shock caused by capillary hyperpermeability. Because of the rarity of the disease, this disease has easily been misdiagnosed and evidence of efficacious agents used empirically is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical and laboratory data, treatment modalities, and mortality rate of patients and to find contributing factors leading to mortality. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE (inception to December 2016) and reviewed reference lists of previous systematic reviews. A total of 133 case reports (161 patients) and 5 case series (102 patients) of idiopathic systemic capillary leak syndrome were included. RESULTS: Patients had hypotension (81.4%), edema (64.6%), and previous flu-like illness (34.2%). This disease was misdiagnosed as hypovolemic shock, septic shock, polycythemia vera, or angioedema. Thirty-seven patients died (23%) mainly because of systemic capillary leak syndrome itself (78.4%). There were significant differences in the survival rates between patients who were treated with prophylactic ß2 agonists, methylxanthines, and intravenous immunoglobulins and those who were not. The estimated 1-, 5-, and 10-year survival rate of patients treated with intravenous immunoglobulins was 100%, 94%, and 94%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We systematically analyzed in detail clinical presentations of all reported patients and identified various factors associated with mortality and effects of prophylactic treatment in idiopathic systemic capillary leak syndrome. The findings of this review will facilitate diagnostic approaches of idiopathic systemic capillary leak syndrome and aid in the selection of treatment.