Cocaine-related aortic dissection: what do we know?

Abstract Introduction: Cocaine use is known to be associated with an increased risk for vascular diseases. It is likely to trigger or increase the risk for an aortic dissection. We conducted an analysis of 45 cases of cocaine-related aortic dissection to further characterize the clinical features and outcomes of this patient cohort. Methods: Our study cohort of 45 patients consisted of 11 cases from our institutional database and 34 published case reports. Results: The observed cases of acute aortic dissection related to cocaine use showed a high proportion of young (41.3±8.67 years) and male (88.9%) patients. Most of the cases (75%) were classified as Stanford type A. Also, in 75% of the cases, cocaine use was prevalent for more than one year. Median time from last cocaine use to onset of symptoms was one hour. In-hospital mortality was 21.4%, while additional 11.9% of the cases died before arriving at the hospital. Conclusion: Acute aortic dissection related to cocaine use occurs in predominantly young male patients and has a dismal outcome when compared to all comer series.

Aortic dissection during antiangiogenic therapy with sunitinib. A case report / Dissecção de aorta em terapia anti-angiogênica com sunitinibe. Um relato de caso

CONTEXT: Sunitinib is an antiangiogenic drug that has been approved for treating metastatic renal cancer. Its action as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs) and other angiogenesis receptors may lead to adverse effects such as hypertension and heart failure. However, reports in the literature on an association between sunitinib therapy and acute aortic dissection are rare. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 68-year-old man with metastatic renal carcinoma who developed acute aortic dissection during sunitinib therapy. He had no history of hypertension or any other risk factor for aortic dissection. After aortic dissection had been diagnosed, sunitinib was withdrawn and an aortic endoprosthesis was placed. Afterwards, the patient was treated clinically with antihypertensive drugs and new therapy for renal cancer consisting of temsirolimus, an inhibitor of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. CONCLUSION: Hypertension is a common event when antiangiogenic drugs are used in oncology. However, knowledge of other severe cardiovascular events that may occur in these patients, such as acute aortic dissection, is important. Adequate control over arterial pressure and frequent monitoring of patients during the first days of antiangiogenic therapy is essential for early diagnosis of possible adverse events. .

CONTEXTO: Sunitinibe é uma droga antiangiogênica aprovada para tratamento de câncer renal metastático. Sua ação como inibidor de tirosina quinase de receptores de fatores de crescimento do endotélio vascular (VEGFR) e de outros receptores de angiogênese pode levar a eventos adversos como hipertensão e insuficiência cardíaca. No entanto, é escassa na literatura a associação da terapia com sunitinibe e dissecção aguda de aorta. RELATO DE CASO: Relatamos o caso de um paciente do sexo masculino de 68 anos com câncer renal metastático que desenvolveu dissecção aguda de aorta durante tratamento com sunitinibe. O paciente não tinha histórico prévio de hipertensão nem outro fator de risco para dissecção de aorta. Após diagnóstico da dissecção de aorta, a droga foi suspensa e o paciente foi submetido à colocação de endoprótese na aorta, evoluindo posteriormente com controle clínico da pressão arterial e nova terapia para câncer renal com tensirolimo, um inibidor da via proteína alvo da rapamicina em mamíferos (mTOR). CONCLUSÕES: A hipertensão é um evento comum com uso de drogas antiangiogênicas na oncologia. No entanto, é importante o conhecimento de outros eventos cardiovasculares graves, como dissecção aguda de aorta, que podem ocorrer nesses pacientes. Controle adequado da pressão arterial e monitorização frequente dos pacientes nos primeiros dias de terapia antiangiogênica são essenciais para diagnóstico precoce de possíveis eventos graves. .