Azacitidine and its role in the upfront treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.

INTRODUCTION: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) predominantly affects elderly population. This poses challenges in management, as patients are frequently not candidates for intensive therapy given comorbidities or frailty. Currently, azacitidine (AZA), either as monotherapy or in combination regimens, is the backbone treatment in this group of patients. AREAS COVERED: We review the mechanism of action, pharmacology, clinical efficacy, and safety of AZA. It reviews current combination therapies of AZA with other targeted therapies for the treatment of newly diagnosed AML. EXPERT OPINION: AZA is a cornerstone for the treatment of patients considered ineligible for intensive chemotherapy induction, but better results and therapies are required for these patients. AZA has shown synergistic properties when combined with other medications. Its safety profile and few drug interactions make it a suitable medication to use as backbone. Newer therapies are being combined with AZA, demonstrating safety and in cases, improved responses, and survival. AZA/venetoclax has emerged as the standard of care for patients who are ineligible for intensive chemotherapy. Doublet and triplet combinations are increasingly being studied. With the results observed in elderly patients, the intensive chemotherapy paradigm might be put to test in younger populations, with AZA combinations being at the forefront.

Treatment of retinal vein thrombosis: what about anticoagulants?

Retinal vein occlusion is an important cause of vision loss. The current treatment options are mainly directed to the prevention of neovascular complications and few studies have addressed to potential use of anticoagulant agents and other interventions targeting the coagulation system. Herein we review the general aspects of this condition focusing on the potential benefits of anticoagulant treatment.

Spontaneous Subgaleal Hematoma in a Sickle Cell Disease Patient: A Case Report.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most commonly inherited conditions on the Arabian Peninsula. We report a case of a 17-year-old boy, who had previously been diagnosed with SCD and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency and recently presented to our hospital with spontaneous subgaleal hematoma (SGH), which was managed conservatively. We also present a literature review on the topic of spontaneous intra- and/or extra-cranial bleeds.

Right atrial appendage tachycardia: A rare cause of tachycardia induced cardiomyopathy with successful radiofrequency ablation using the 3D mapping system.

We report the case of a 40-year-old patient with incessant supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). As this SVT was resistant to medical therapy and was complicated by severe LV dysfunction and cardiogenic shock, the patient was referred for EPS (electrophysiologic study) and ablation. EPS and successful ablation of the right atrial appendage (RAA) tachycardia were performed by means of a 3D mapping system NavX (St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, MN, USA) with complete resolution of symptoms and normalization of LV function, as evaluated at three-month follow-up examination.