[Reversible posterior encephalopathy syndrome and cardiomyopathy after bevacizumab therapy]

Bevacizumab is an antibody directed against VEGF-A. It is approved for the treatment of many cancer diseases. Its side effects are currently not well known by physicians.

A 70-year-old female with metastatic colonic adenocarcinoma was admitted in the intensive care unit because of a coma, four days after having received a combined monthly chemotherapy containing bevacizumab, oxaliplatine, 5 fluorouracil, and folinic acid for the fourth time. On clinical examination, she presented with lower limbs spasticity and hypertension. Etiologic investigations, including cerebral tomodensitometry, cerebrospinal fluid examination, psychotropic drugs urinary testing, and electroencephalogram, were negative. Consciousness improved without any other treatment than nicardipine and urapidil, but the patient was initially confused. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging showed changes suggestive of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, but also involving frontal lobes. There were additional biological and echocardiographic changes suggestive of cardiac involvement. The patient recovered completely of both cardiac and neurologic manifestations 10 days later.

Physicians should be aware of cardiovascular adverse effects of bevacizumab. High blood pressure must be treated to avoid more severe complications. When a posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome occurs, cardiac involvement should be investigated.