Crizotinib-induced fatal fulminant liver failure.

Herein we describe a case of a 62-year-old female in good clinical condition with non-small-cell lung cancer who was treated with crizotinib. After 24 days of crizotinib therapy she presented with acute liver failure. Serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels had increased from normal prior to crizotinib start to 2053 IU/L and 6194 IU/L, respectively. Total bilirubin and prothrombin time (PT-INR) increased up to 443 IU/L and 5.33, respectively, and symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy and hepatorenal syndrome emerged. Despite crizotinib discontinuation and intensive supportive therapy, the patient died 40 days after treatment with crizotinib was initiated due to acute liver failure with massive liver cell necrosis.

Chronic pulmonary embolism and pulmonary hypertension.

Incomplete resolution of acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is frequently observed after acute PE and may rarely result in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). The underlying pathophysiological mechanism is largely unknown. Evidence underlines the concept of a dual pulmonary vascular compartment model consisting of increased pulmonary vascular resistance by both large vessel obstruction and distal small vessel obliteration, the latter initiated by pathological vascular remodeling. Up to 40% of patients with established CTEPH have no prior history of symptomatic venous thromboembolism. CTEPH is associated with a poor prognosis if left untreated. Therefore, the diagnostic approach of CTEPH aims at assessing the location and extent of the embolic obstruction, establishing the operability and prognosis of the patients and ruling out other variations of pulmonary hypertension with distinct indicated treatment. Heart catheterization for invasive pressure measurements and pulmonary catheter angiography is obligatory for the final diagnosis. Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy is the treatment of choice. In certain patients with persistent or recurrent pulmonary hypertension after surgery or with inoperable disease, pharmacotherapy might be beneficial.

[Acute pulmonary embolism: beware of the wolf in sheep's clothing]. / Acute longembolie: een wolf in schaapskleren.

Two male patients aged 57 and 73 were referred to the cardiologist because of progressive dyspnoea. In one patient, the general practitioner had previously adopted an expectative policy because of a clean chest X-ray. At presentation after 4 weeks, the patient was diagnosed with and treated for acute coronary syndrome because of minor ECG abnormalities. Additional CT scanning showed a large saddle embolus. Despite adequate treatment, the patient suffered an electrical asystole and died. The other patient underwent ECG, bicycle ergometry, MRI adenosine, echocardiography and lung function tests over a period of 5 weeks before pulmonary embolism (PE) was diagnosed. As the signs and symptoms of PE are largely non-specific, diagnostic delay is common, with risk of poor clinical outcome. PE should at least be considered whenever a patient presents with acute or worsening breathlessness, chest pain, circulatory collapse or coughing, particularly in the presence of known thrombotic risk factors or when there is no clear alternative.