ABSTRACT
We present a 39-year-old male patient with Down syndrome who was evaluated for fatigue, palpitations and bouts of cyanosis. Physical examination showed features of trisomy-21(Down syndrome), with a slow pulse rate, distant cardiac sounds and absent apex beat. He had normal jugular venous pressure without pulsus paradoxus. The ECG showed QRS microvoltage and flattened P and T segments. The 48-hour ambulatory ECG depicted normal sinus rhythm with intermittent short PR interval without tachyarrhythmias. The chest Xray revealed cardiomegaly without pulmonary venous congestion. Although serial transthoracic echocardiographic examination demonstrated pericardial effusion with features of tamponade, there were no overt signs of clinical cardiac tamponade. Biochemically, the serum thyroxine of 3 pmol/l (normal 10 to 25) and thyroid-stimulating hormone of 160 mU/l (normal 0.20 to 4.20)) were compatible with hypothyroidism. The patient was treated with L-thyroxine sodium daily, which was gradually increased to 0.125 mg daily. Within a few months he lost weight and became more alert; furthermore, the symptoms of hypothyroidism and the pericardial effusion resolved. It can be concluded that Down syndrome may be associated with hypothyroidism and pericardial effusion. These were alleviated following hormone replacement. Regular evaluation of thyroid function tests is important in Down syndrome. (Neth Heart J 2007;15:67-70.).
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: A phase III study was started to compare oxaliplatin/5FU/LV in the first-line with bolus FU/LV in metastatic colorectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 302 patients were randomised and received bolus 5-FU 425 mg/m(2) day 1-5, FA 20 mg/m(2) day 1-5, q 4 wk or oxaliplatin 85 mg/m(2), 2 h-infusion, FA 200 mg/m(2), 1-h infusion. 5-FU 2600 mg/m(2), 24-h infusion day 1, q 2 wk. The primary endpoint was response rate (RR). RESULTS: The median follow-up is 31.8 months, 90.4% of the patients have died. Confirmed RR, progression free survival (PFS; months) and median overall survival (OS; months) in 5FU/LV versus 5FU/LV/oxaliplatin were respectively 18.5% versus (vs) 33.8% (P = 0.004), 5.6 vs 6.7 (P = 0.016) and 13.3 vs 13.8 (P = 0.619). In the 5FU/LV/oxaliplatin arm less grade (3/4) toxicity was measured for diarrhoea, stomatitis, an increase in idiosyncratic side effects and neurosensory events compared with 5FU/LV. The quality of life (QOL) was equal in both arms. Second line treatment was given in 62% of the patients, crossover of 5FU/LV to 5FU/LV/oxaliplatin occurred in 14%. CONCLUSIONS: Oxaliplatin in the first-line resulted in an increased RR and PFS with less grade 3/4 mucositis/diarrhoea compared with 5FU/LV alone. Idiosyncratic side effects deserve attention with oxaliplatin. Despite a low treatment cross over rate, OS in both groups was comparable.
