Perforation of the Nasal Septum in a Colorectal Cancer Patient Treated With Aflibercept: A Case Report.

Aflibercept is an antiangiogenic agent used in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who have progressed to a first-line oxaliplatin-based regimen. The main adverse effects (AEs) of antiangiogenic agents are fatigue, asthenia, anorexia, hypertension, proteinuria, urinary tract infection, diarrhea, and neutropenia. Other AEs, such as hemorrhage, thromboembolic events, and gastrointestinal perforation, are much less frequent. Nasal septal perforation caused by antiangiogenic agents is even rarer. The published literature on this subject is scarce. Here, we report the case of a 54-year-old male with metastatic colorectal cancer undergoing treatment with leucovorin, fluorouracil (5-FU), irinotecan, and aflibercept who presented with epistaxis and nasal congestion. An otolaryngologist performed a rhinoscopy that revealed a perforation of the nasal septum. Aflibercept was withdrawn first, and local treatment was applied with lubricant and antibacterial lotions. It was considered a non-life-threatening side effect, and given the high risk of not continuing treatment in this patient with a recent recurrence, aflibercept was reintroduced in combination with leucovorin, 5-FU, and irinotecan. The patient continued local treatment and follow-up with medical oncology and otolaryngology with gradual improvement of symptoms. Follow-up was discontinued due to disease progression and death after 16 months of the event.

Clinical Impact of the Time in Therapeutic Range on Early Hospital Readmission in Patients with Acute Heart Failure Treated with Oral Anticoagulation in Internal Medicine.

Background and objectives: Patients with heart failure (HF) often present with non-valvular atrial fibrillation and require oral anticoagulation with coumarin anticoagulants such as acenocoumarol. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between time in therapeutic range (TTR) and the risk of early readmission. Materials and Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was carried out on hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of HF between 2014 and 2018 who had adverse effects due to oral anticoagulation with acenocoumarol (underdosing, overdosing, or hemorrhage). Clinical, analytical, therapeutic, and prognostic variables were collected. TTR is defined as the duration of time in which the patient's International Normalized Ratio (INR) values were within a desired range. Early readmission was defined as readmission within 30 days after hospital discharge. Patients were divided into two groups depending on whether or not they had a TTR less than 60% (TTR < 60%) over the 6 months prior to the adverse event. Results: In the cohort of 304 patients, the mean age was 82 years, 59.9% of the patients were female, and 54.6% had a TTR < 60%. Patients with TTR < 60% had a higher HAS-BLED score (4.04 vs. 2.59; p < 0.001) and INR (6 vs. 5.31; p < 0.05) but lower hemoglobin (11.67 vs. 12.22 g/dL; p < 0.05). TTR < 60% was associated with early readmission after multivariate analysis (OR: 2.05 (CI 95%: 1.16-3.61)). They also had a higher percentage of hemorrhagic events and in-hospital mortality but without reaching statistical significance. Conclusions: Patients with HF and adverse events due to acenocoumarol often have poor INR control, which is independently associated with a higher risk of early readmission.

Interleukin-6 Could Be a Potential Prognostic Factor in Ambulatory Elderly Patients with Stable Heart Failure: Results from a Pilot Study.

INTRODUCTION: Inflammation is a fundamental phenomenon in heart failure, but the prognostic or therapeutic role of markers such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) has not yet been clarified. The objective of this study is to describe the clinical profile of patients with elevated IL-6 and determine if they have worse clinical outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective c.ohort observational study including 78 patients with heart failure followed up at the Heart Failure Outpatient Clinic of the Internal Medicine Department. IL-6 was determined in all patients, who were then assigned into two groups according to IL-6 level (normal or high). Clinical and prognostic data were collected to determine the differences in both groups. RESULTS: The average age was 79 years, 60% female. A total of 53.8% of the patients had elevated IL-6 (group 2). Patients with elevated IL-6 presented more frequently with anemia mellitus (64.3% vs. 41.7%; p = 0.046), atrial fibrillation (83.3% vs. 61.9% p = 0.036), dyslipidemia (76.2% vs. 58.2%; p = 0.03), higher creatinine levels (1.35 mg/dL vs. 1.08 mg/dL; p = 0.024), lower glomerular filtration rate (43.6 mL/min/m2 vs. 59.9 mL/min/m2; p = 0.007), and anemia 25% vs. 52.4% p = 0.014. The factors independently associated with the increase in IL-6 were anemia 3.513 (1.163-10.607) and renal failure 0.963 (0.936-0.991), p < 0.05. Mortality was higher in the group with elevated IL-6 levels (16% vs. 2%; p = 0.044) with a log-rank p = 0.027 in the Kaplan-Meier curve. CONCLUSION: Patients with heart failure and elevated IL-6 most often have atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, anemia, and renal failure. In addition, mortality was higher and a tendency of higher hospital admission was observed in stable HF patients with elevated IL-6.