Team-based approach to identify cardiac toxicity in critically ill hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients

Risk factors and survival outcomes in children with early cardiotoxicity after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Cardiotoxicity in children is a potentially fatal complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT); therefore, early identification of risk factors can improve patient prognosis. However, there are few data on the clinical characteristics of early-stage cardiotoxicity in children after allo-HSCT. We conducted a retrospective single-center study of pediatric patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) between January 2016 and December 2022 at the Children's Hospital Affiliated with Chongqing Medical University to evaluate the clinical characteristics of early cardiac events (ECEs) after allo-HSCT and their impact on survival outcomes. We enrolled 444 patients who underwent allo-HSCT-304 males (68%) and 140 females (32%)-with a median age of 3.3 years (1.8-6.5 years) at transplantation. We found that 73 patients (16.4%) had ECEs after allo-HSCT. The ECEs included valvular disease (n = 46), pericardial effusion (n = 38), arrhythmia (n = 9), heart failure (n = 16), and dilated cardiomyopathy (n = 1). Female sex, age ≥ 6 years, body mass index (BMI) < 16 kg/m2 and HLA-type mismatches were risk factors for ECEs. We designed a stratified cardiac risk score that included these risk factors, and the higher the score was, the greater the cumulative incidence of ECEs. The occurrence of an ECE was closely associated with a lower overall survival (OS) rate and greater nonrelapse mortality (NRM). In addition, stratified analysis based on the number of combined ECEs showed that the greater the number of combined ECEs was, the more significant the negative impact on OS rates.

Pulmonary hypertension in the intensive care unit after pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant: incidence, risk factors, and outcomes

Objective

To determine the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) after pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT).

Methods

This was a retrospective study of pediatric patients who underwent allogeneic HCT between January 2008-December 2014 at a center contributing to the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research data registry. Incidence of PH was assessed from PICU diagnostic codes from records merged from the Virtual Pediatric Systems database. Regression and survival analyses identified factors associated with post-HCT PH. Additional post-HCT morbidities and survival after PH were also assessed.

Results

Among 6,995 HCT recipients, there were 29 cases of PH, a cumulative incidence of 0.42% (95% CI 0.27%-0.57%) at 60 months post-HCT. In the sub-cohort of 1,067 patients requiring intensive care after HCT, this accounted for a PH prevalence of 2.72% (95% CI 1.74-3.69%). There was an increased risk of developing PH associated with Black/African American race, metabolic disorders, partially HLA-matched or cord blood allografts, graft-versus-host prophylaxis regimen, and lower pre-HCT functional status. Patients who developed PH had significant PICU comorbidities including heart failure, pulmonary hemorrhage, respiratory failure, renal failure, and infections. Survival at 6 months after diagnosis of post-HCT PH was 51.7% (95% CI 32.5%-67.9%).

Conclusions

PH is a rare but serious complication in the pediatric post-HCT population. A significant burden of additional comorbidities, procedural interventions, and risk of mortality is associated with its development. Close monitoring and prompt intervention for this severe complication are necessary in this vulnerable population.

Risk Factors for Symptomatic Pericardial Effusions Posthematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant

Background

Pericardial effusions are a known complication posthematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), causing significant morbidity. We aimed to evaluate the risk factors associated with the development of high-grade effusions requiring interventions. Procedure. A retrospective chart review of all HSCT patients over a period of 7 years (2013-2019) in a single institution in the Northeastern United States is conducted. All patients who developed an effusion requiring intervention were included. Patient's clinical characteristics were compared with all others transplanted during the same time period. Echocardiogram findings of the affected patients were compared to a case-control cohort of unaffected patients with similar age and diagnosis. Chi-square and paired t-tests were utilized to ascertain statistical differences between the groups.

Results

A total of 15 patients out of 201 (7.5%) transplanted at our institution developed a moderate or large pericardial effusion requiring pericardiocentesis or a pericardial window. Of this cohort, 13 (87%) underwent a myeloablative preparative regimen, 13 (87%) had cyclophosphamide as part of their regimen, 13 (87%) had recent treatment for viral reactivation, 6 (40%) had an underlying hemoglobinopathy diagnosis, and only 4 (27%) had an active diagnosis of GVHD. A myeloablative preparative regimen had a higher rate of effusion requiring intervention, although it was not statistically significant, and concurrent GVHD was not predictive of effusion development. However, exposure to cyclophosphamide, recent treatment for viral reactivation, and a diagnosis of transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (Ta-TMA) were highly associated with effusions. The latter was associated with increased mortality. The duration of pericardial effusion correlated with the pretransplant echocardiogram left ventricle end diastolic diameter z-score and apical 4-chamber left ventricular peak average strain measurement.

Conclusions

Potential risk factors for pericardial effusions post-HSCT include a diagnosis of Ta-TMA, active viral infection, exposure to cyclophosphamide, and a higher left ventricle end diastolic diameter z-score. This information may help guide management for these patients, including identifying high-risk subjects, determining the frequency of echocardiograms, and determining specific echocardiogram measures to follow over time.

Cardiovascular diseases in patients after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: Systematic review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT), is performed to treat many malignancies such as autologous or allogenic. Despite the success of this method in treating patients, - sometimes some HSCT recipients face problems such as cardiovascular complications. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the prevalence of cardiovascular complications in post-transplant patients.

METHOD

In order to review the published studies, we examined PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and web of science databases from the beginning to the end of January 2022, and we used tools by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale to evaluate the quality of the studies.

RESULT

In this study, 37 articles were included in the meta-analysis and 30,957 patients were examined. Also, the mean age of patients was 35.37 years. Based on the results of the meta-analysis, the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), was 16.84%. In addition, other complications related to CVD which include Arrhythmias, Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), Hypertension, stroke, and mortality were examined in patients who had hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and the resulting amounts were 3.91%, 3.66, 17.71, 0.22%, and 1.53%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that the prevalence of cardiovascular disease after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is high and needs special attention.

Pulmonary Complications of Pediatric Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation. A National Institutes of Health Workshop Summary

Approximately 2,500 pediatric hematopoietic cell transplants (HCTs), most of which are allogeneic, are performed annually in the United States for life-threatening malignant and nonmalignant conditions. Although HCT is undertaken with curative intent, post-HCT complications limit successful outcomes, with pulmonary dysfunction representing the leading cause of nonrelapse mortality. To better understand, predict, prevent, and/or treat pulmonary complications after HCT, a multidisciplinary group of 33 experts met in a 2-day National Institutes of Health Workshop to identify knowledge gaps and research strategies most likely to improve outcomes. This summary of Workshop deliberations outlines the consensus focus areas for future research.

Rapid cardiac MRI protocol for cardiac assessment in paediatric and young adult patients undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplant: a feasibility study

BACKGROUND

Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation is an important and effective treatment strategy for many malignancies, marrow failure syndromes, and immunodeficiencies in children, adolescents, and young adults. Despite advances in supportive care, patients undergoing transplant are at increased risk to develop cardiovascular co-morbidities.

METHODS

This study was performed as a feasibility study of a rapid cardiac MRI protocol to substitute for echocardiography in the assessment of left ventricular size and function, pericardial effusion, and right ventricular hypertension.

RESULTS

A total of 13 patients were enrolled for the study (age 17.5 ± 7.7 years, 77% male, 77% white). Mean study time was 13.2 ± 5.6 minutes for MRI and 18.8 ± 5.7 minutes for echocardiogram (p = 0.064). Correlation between left ventricular ejection fraction by MRI and echocardiogram was good (ICC 0.76; 95% CI 0.47, 0.92). None of the patients had documented right ventricular hypertension. Patients were given a survey regarding their experiences, with the majority both perceiving that the echocardiogram took longer (7/13) and indicating they would prefer the MRI if given a choice (10/13).

CONCLUSION

A rapid cardiac MRI protocol was shown feasible to substitute for echocardiogram in the assessment of key factors prior to or in follow-up after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Association of persistent tachycardia with early myocardial dysfunction in children undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation

Cancer survivors who have undergone hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) are at risk for myocardial dysfunction. Children who receive allogenic HCT encounter systemic inflammation resulting in tachycardia and hypertension. The effect of these abnormalities on myocardial function is not known. The aim of this study was to determine whether cardiac dysfunction early after HCT can be predicted by tachycardia or hypertension, within a retrospective single-center sample of pediatric HCT recipients. Early tachycardia or hypertension was defined as a majority of values taken from infusion date to 90 days post-infusion being abnormal. Ejection fraction <53% determined systolic dysfunction. A composite score of accepted pediatric diastolic abnormalities determined diastolic dysfunction. Among 80 subjects (median age 8 years), early tachycardia, systolic dysfunction, and diastolic dysfunction were present in 64%, 25%, and 48% of the sample, respectively. In multivariable models, early tachycardia was an independent predictor of early systolic dysfunction (OR = 12.6 [1.4-112.8], p = 0.024) and diastolic dysfunction (OR = 3.9 [1.3-11.5], p = 0.013). Tachycardia and cardiac dysfunction are common and associated with one another in the early period after pediatric HCT. Future studies may elucidate the role of tachycardia and myocardial dysfunction early after HCT as important predictors of future cardiovascular dysfunction.

A pragmatic multi-institutional approach to understanding transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy after stem cell transplant

Transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) is a severe complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). A single-center prospective screening study has shown that the incidence of TA-TMA is much higher than prior retrospective studies that did not systematically screen. These data have not been replicated in a multicenter study. Our objective was to determine the incidence and risk factors for TA-TMA and compare outcomes of pediatric HSCT patients with and without TA-TMA. Patients were prospectively screened for TA-TMA at participating centers using a simple to implement and inexpensive strategy from the start of the preparative regimen through day +100. TA-TMA was diagnosed if ≥4 of 7 laboratory/clinical markers diagnostic for TA-TMA were present concurrently or if tissue histology showed TA-TMA. A total of 614 patients (359 males; 58%) received prospective TA-TMA screening at 13 pediatric centers. TA-TMA was diagnosed in 98 patients (16%) at a median of 22 days (interquartile range, 14-44) posttransplant. Patients with TA-TMA had significantly increased bloodstream infections (38% [37/98] vs 21% [107/51], P ≤ .001), mean total hospitalization days (68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 63-74 vs 43; 95% CI, 41-45; P ≤ .001), and number of days spent in the intensive care unit (10.1; 95% CI, 6.4-14; vs 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1-2.2; P ≤ .001) in the first 100 days after HSCT compared with patients without TA-TMA. Overall survival was significantly higher in patients without TA-TMA (93%; 490/516) compared with patients with TA-TMA (78%; 76/98) (P ≤ .001). These data support the need for systematic screening for TA-TMA and demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of an easy to implement strategy to do so.

Cardiovascular disease and its management in children and adults undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a potentially curative treatment for many malignancies, hemoglobinopathies, metabolic diseases, bone marrow failure syndromes, and primary immune deficiencies. Despite the significant improvement in survival afforded by HSCT, the therapy is associated with major short and long-term morbidity and mortality. Cardiovascular complications such as cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, pulmonary hypertension, and pericardial effusions are increasingly recognized as potential outcomes following HSCT. The incidence of cardiac complications is related to various factors such as age, co-morbid medical conditions, whether patients received cardiotoxic chemotherapy prior to HSCT, the type of HSCT (autologous versus allogeneic), and the specific conditioning regimen. Thus, the cardiovascular evaluation has become a core component of the pre-transplant assessment, however, the practice differs from center to center as national guidelines and contemporary high-quality studies are lacking. We review the incidence of cardiotoxicity in pediatric and adult HSCT, potential mechanisms of injury, and effects on long-term outcomes. We also discuss the possible therapeutic approaches when disease arises, as well as the indications and need for surveillance before, during, and after transplantation.

Tolerance of dinutuximab therapy for treatment of high-risk neuroblastoma in two patients with end-stage renal disease on dialysis

Autologous hematopoietic cell transplant (aHCT) has a significant survival advantage in patients with high-risk (HR) neuroblastoma. Transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) is a serious complication and may result in chronic renal disease leading to delay in subsequent posttransplant therapy and limitations of treatment options. Dinutuximab represents an important therapeutic advance in the treatment of pediatric HR neuroblastoma, but historically has not been administered in patients with GFR < 60 mL/m² /min. Here, we present the safe outcome of dinutuximab administration while on renal replacement therapy in two cases of HR neuroblastoma with end-stage renal disease secondary to TA-TMA.

Treatment exposures stratify need for echocardiographic screening in asymptomatic long-term survivors of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

We sought to define the prevalence of echocardiographic abnormalities in long-term survivors of paediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and determine the utility of screening in asymptomatic patients. We analysed echocardiograms performed on survivors who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from 1982 to 2006. A total of 389 patients were alive in 2017, with 114 having an echocardiogram obtained ⩾5 years post-infusion. A total of 95 patients had echocardiogram performed for routine surveillance. The mean time post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was 13 years. Of 95 patients, 77 (82.1%) had ejection fraction measured, and 10/77 (13.0%) had ejection fraction z-scores ⩽-2.0, which is abnormally low. Those patients with abnormal ejection fraction were significantly more likely to have been exposed to anthracyclines or total body irradiation. Among individuals who received neither anthracyclines nor total body irradiation, only 1/31 (3.2%) was found to have an abnormal ejection fraction of 51.4%, z-score -2.73. In the cohort of 77 patients, the negative predictive value of having a normal ejection fraction given no exposure to total body irradiation or anthracyclines was 96.7% at 95% confidence interval (83.3-99.8%). Systolic dysfunction is relatively common in long-term survivors of paediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation who have received anthracyclines or total body irradiation. Survivors who are asymptomatic and did not receive radiation or anthracyclines likely do not require surveillance echocardiograms, unless otherwise indicated.

Long-term systolic function in children and young adults after hematopoietic stem cell transplant

Congestive heart failure and subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) affect long-term survivors of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Echocardiographic measurements of global longitudinal and circumferential strain have shown promise in identifying subclinical LVSD in cancer survivors. We analyzed echocardiograms in 95 children and young adults with malignancies or bone marrow failure syndromes performed before HSCT and 1-6 years after HSCT. We additionally measured the biomarkers soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2 (sST-2) and cardiac troponin-I (cTn-I) in the same children through 49 days post HSCT. Ejection fraction (EF) after HSCT was unchanged from baseline (baseline: z-score -0.73 vs long-term follow up: -0.44, P=0.11). Global longitudinal strain was unchanged from baseline (-20.66 vs -20.74%, P=0.90) as was global circumferential strain (-24.3 vs -23.5%, P=0.32). Levels of sST-2 were elevated at all time points compared with baseline samples and cTn-I was elevated at days 14 and 28. Cardiac biomarkers at any time point did not correlate with long-term follow-up EF. In children and young adult survivors of HSCT, EF was unchanged in the first years after HSCT. Elevation in cardiac biomarkers occurring after HSCT suggest subclinical cardiac injury occurs in many patients and long-term monitoring for LVSD should continue.