ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The safety and efficacy of direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for therapeutic anticoagulation in the setting of primary or metastatic brain cancer is not known.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a meta-analysis and systematic review of studies that compare the risk of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) in patients with brain cancer treated with DOACs vs. LMWH.

METHODS: A literature search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases. Summary statistics were obtained by calculating the risk ratio (RR), and heterogeneity across studies was estimated using the I2 statistic. A total of 10 retrospective studies (n=1,638) met criteria for inclusion. The primary endpoint was the pooled RR for ICH in patients with brain tumors receiving anticoagulation with DOACs compared with those receiving LMWH. Secondary analyses included the risk of fatal ICH in each subgroup.

RESULTS: The pooled RR for ICH in patients receiving DOACs vs. those receiving LMWH was 0.65 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.36-1.17; P = 0.15; I2 = 50%). In studies evaluating primary brain cancer, there was a reduction in risk of ICH with DOACs (RR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.18-0.69; P = 0.003; I2 = 0%). In patients with metastatic brain cancer, there was no difference in the risk of ICH with type of anticoagulation (RR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.71-1.56; P = 0.80; I2 = 0%). The overall risk of fatal ICH was not different between anticoagulants.

DISCUSSION: The risk of ICH in patients with brain cancer receiving therapeutic anticoagulation varies by anticoagulation agent and diagnosis of primary or metastatic disease.

PMID:37866517 | DOI:10.1016/j.jtha.2023.10.011

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PubMed articles on: Cancer & VTE/PE

Episodic Cocaine Use as a Cause of Venous Thromboembolism and Acute Liver Injury

Am J Case Rep. 2023 Oct 24;24:e941360. doi: 10.12659/AJCR.941360.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND Pulmonary embolism secondary to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) with cor pulmonale is commonly associated with risk factors including surgery, cancer, and prolonged immobility. Cocaine is known to cause vasoconstriction and has a prothrombotic effect. Prolonged and heavy use of cocaine can also cause inflammation and liver damage. However, data on its potential role in causing pulmonary embolism and direct hepatotoxicity in cases of episodic use are scarce. CASE REPORT A 34-year-old man with no significant medical history except for episodic cocaine use presented in respiratory distress. Workup revealed submassive pulmonary embolism with pulmonary infarctions complicated by pneumonia, hypoxemic respiratory failure, and anemia. He was treated with anticoagulation and intensive care. On day 5 of hospitalization, the patient had an acute hepatic injury. His alanine aminotransferase level peaked at over 2000 IU/L on day 7, until finally tapering. Liver failure was found to be secondary to cocaine use. Liver enzyme levels improved with supportive care. He was discharged with apixaban and continued liver enzyme monitoring. CONCLUSIONS When investigating the cause of venous thromboembolism and transaminitis, evaluating cocaine use via patient history or laboratory analysis of cocaine and its metabolites should be considered. Cocaine is known to cause vasoconstriction and has a prothrombotic effect, although data on its potential role in causing pulmonary embolism and direct hepatotoxicity in cases of episodic use are scarce. Further investigation, such as cohort studies, could help strengthen our understanding of the relationship between cocaine use, acute hepatic injury, and pulmonary embolism.

PMID:37872733 | DOI:10.12659/AJCR.941360

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PubMed articles on: Cardio-Oncology

Pyothorax and Constrictive Pericarditis after Chemoradiotherapy for Esophageal Cancer: A Case Report

Intern Med. 2023 Oct 13. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.2502-23. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

A 75-year-old man underwent chemoradiotherapy for advanced esophageal cancer. After nine years, he was hospitalized for left pyothorax. Consequently, the patient underwent drainage and window opening surgery. He experienced cardiopulmonary arrest but was resuscitated. Based on cardiac catheterization data, the patient was diagnosed with constrictive pericarditis. Unfortunately, extracorporeal circulation did not improve his condition, and he ultimately died. An autopsy revealed adhesion between the pericardium and pleura, especially the pericardium in contact with the left thoracic cavity, which was markedly thickened. This suggests that constrictive pericarditis, a latent complication of chemoradiotherapy, is aggravated by pyothorax.

PMID:37839880 | DOI:10.2169/internalmedicine.2502-23

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PubMed articles on: Cardio-Oncology

Evolving cardiac biomarkers for immune checkpoint inhibitor related myocarditis in cancer patients

Int J Cardiol Heart Vasc. 2023 Oct 8;49:101278. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcha.2023.101278. eCollection 2023 Dec.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:37842144 | PMC:PMC10570005 | DOI:10.1016/j.ijcha.2023.101278

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PubMed articles on: Cardio-Oncology

Early Increases in Blood Pressure and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Renal Cell Carcinoma and Thyroid Cancer Treated With VEGFR TKIs

J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2023 Oct;21(10):1039-1049.e10. doi: 10.6004/jnccn.2023.7047.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Although VEGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are a preferred systemic treatment approach for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and thyroid carcinoma (TC), treatment-related cardiovascular (CV) toxicity is an important contributor to morbidity. However, the clinical risk assessment and impact of CV toxicities, including early significant hypertension, among real-world advanced cancer populations receiving VEGFR TKI therapies remain understudied.

METHODS: In a multicenter, retrospective cohort study across 3 large and diverse US health systems, we characterized baseline hypertension and CV comorbidity in patients with RCC and those with TC who are newly initiating VEGFR TKI therapy. We also evaluated baseline patient-, treatment-, and disease-related factors associated with the risk for treatment-related early hypertension (within 6 weeks of TKI initiation) and major adverse CV events (MACE), accounting for the competing risk of death in an advanced cancer population, after VEGFR TKI initiation.

RESULTS: Between 2008 and 2020, 987 patients (80.3% with RCC, 19.7% with TC) initiated VEGFR TKI therapy. The baseline prevalence of hypertension was high (61.5% and 53.6% in patients with RCC and TC, respectively). Adverse CV events, including heart failure and cerebrovascular accident, were common (occurring in 14.9% of patients) and frequently occurred early (46.3% occurred within 1 year of VEGFR TKI initiation). Baseline hypertension and Black race were the primary clinical factors associated with increased acute hypertensive risk within 6 weeks of VEGFR TKI initiation. However, early significant "on-treatment" hypertension was not associated with MACE.

CONCLUSIONS: These multicenter, real-world findings indicate that hypertensive and CV morbidities are highly prevalent among patients initiating VEGFR TKI therapies, and baseline hypertension and Black race represent the primary clinical factors associated with VEGFR TKI-related early significant hypertension. However, early on-treatment hypertension was not associated with MACE, and cancer-specific CV risk algorithms may be warranted for patients initiating VEGFR TKIs.

PMID:37856199 | DOI:10.6004/jnccn.2023.7047

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PubMed articles on: Cancer & VTE/PE

Intensify Standardized Anticoagulation for Cancer-Associated Pulmonary Embolism: From Single-Center Real-World Data

Clin Ther. 2023 Oct 12:S0149-2918(23)00378-8. doi: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2023.09.014. Online ahead of print.