A Rare Case of Acute Pericarditis as a Primary Presentation of Differentiation Syndrome

Bandar Alyami1, Anas A Alharbi2, Brijesh Patel3

  • 1Medicine, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, USA.

Cureus
|April 25, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Differentiation syndrome, a complication of acute promyelocytic leukemia treatment, can lead to isolated acute pericarditis. This case highlights a rare cardiac event during chemotherapy for APL.

Area of Science:

  • Hematology
  • Oncology
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is treated with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO).
  • Differentiation syndrome (DS) is a known complication of APL induction chemotherapy.

Observation:

  • A 47-year-old male patient with APL developed DS on day 25 of induction chemotherapy.
  • The patient presented with isolated acute pericarditis during his treatment course.

Findings:

  • The case demonstrates a rare association between differentiation syndrome in APL and the development of acute pericarditis.
  • This suggests a potential link between inflammatory processes in DS and cardiac complications.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should be vigilant for cardiac complications, such as pericarditis, in APL patients experiencing differentiation syndrome.
  • Further research may elucidate the mechanisms linking DS and pericarditis, aiding in risk stratification and management.

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