ABSTRACT
Dasatinib is a second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor with activity on the BCR-ABL fusion gene. It is used in the treatment of BCR-ABL positive chronic myeloid leukaemia and has the known side effect of pleural effusion. This usually involves exudate with the presence of lymphocytes. A more uncommon side effect is the development of a chylothorax. We describe a case of a 67-year-old man with chronic myeloid leukaemia, for which treatment with dasatinib, with the presence of a right-sided chylothorax. The man presented at an outpatient consultation due to complaints of exertional dyspnoea. Radiographic imaging showed the presence of a right-sided pleural effusion. Several punctures were performed with an evacuation of 4,900 mL bloody chylous fluid in total. Each puncture revealed an increased concentration of triglycerides on the fluid, hence confirming a recurring chylothorax. A pleurodesis was performed as a final therapy. Bosutinib was substituted for dasatinib eight months prior to initial admission, making this the first reported persisting dasatinib-induced chylothorax after discontinuation. The pathophysiology has not yet been fully elucidated; it is suspected to involve an interaction on the PDGFR-ß pathway. LEARNING POINTS: Dasatinib is a rare cause of chylothorax.Chylothorax should be included in the differential diagnosis in patients developing pleural effusions when treated with dasatinib.The cornerstone of the treatment is tapering the dose or discontinuing the dasatinib therapy and changing it to another tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Progressive autograft dilation and need for later reoperation remain major concerns of the Ross procedure. The study investigates the clinical outcome after the Ross operation, including a longitudinal analysis of autograft dimensions over 25 years. METHODS: From November 1991 to April 2019, 137 patients underwent a Ross procedure at the University Hospitals of UCL (Université catholique de Louvain)-Brussels and Ghent. Inclusion criteria were less than or equal to 18 years of age and pulmonary autograft implantation by root replacement. Outcome focused on survival, reoperation rate, and autograft size evolution through linear mixed-model analysis. RESULTS: A Ross or Ross-Konno operation was performed in 110 (80%) and 27 (20%) patients at a median age of 10.4 (interquartile range [IQR], 4.7-14.3) years and 0.5 (IQR, 0.04-5.2) years, respectively. Overall 10-year and 20-year survival was 87% ± 3% and 85% ± 3%, respectively, but was 93% ± 3% for isolated Ross patients. Right ventricular outflow tract-conduit exchange was required in 20.3%, whereas autograft-related reoperation was performed in 14 (10.7%) patients at a median interval of 14 (IQR, 9-16) years, for aortic regurgitation (n = 2) and autograft dilation (n = 12). Autograft z-values increased significantly at the sinus and sinotubular junction (STJ) compared with the annulus (annulus = 0.05 ± 0.38/y, sinus = 0.14 ± 0.25/y, STJ = 0.17 ± 0.34/y; P = .015). The z-value slope for autograft dimensions was significantly steeper for Ross-Konno vs Ross patients (annulus: P = .029; sinus: P < .001; STJ: P = .012), and for children having aortic arch repair (annulus: P = .113, sinus: P = .038; STJ: P = .029). CONCLUSIONS: The Ross operation offers children requiring aortic valve replacement an excellent survival perspective, with an acceptable risk of autograft reoperation within the first 25 years. Contrary to the autograft annulus, dilation of the sinus and STJ size is of concern. Closer surveillance of autograft dimensions might be required in patients who underwent a Ross-Konno procedure or aortic arch reconstruction.
