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Oral anticoagulants [Vitamin-K-Antagonists, Dabigatran, Rivaroxaban, Apixaban] or antiplatelet agents [Aspirin, Clopidogrel, Prasugrel, Ticagrelor] are effective in preventing thromboembolic diseases. In case of interventional of surgical procedures patients with indications for chronic anticoagulation [atrial fibrillation, valve prosthesis, venous thromboembolism] or use of antiplatelet agents [cerebrovascular events, cardiovascular events] will require interruption of antithrombotic/antiplatelet therapy with the need of replacement with a short-acting agent. Due to limited data available from randomized studies and meta-analyses the evidence level is low in the majority of recommendations. Therefore for each patient the bleeding and thrombosis risk depending on the individual patient constitution and the planned intervention must be weighted. In patients with an intermediate risk for thrombosis the bleeding risk of the scheduled intervention will influence the bridging recommendation: In patients with a low bleeding risk oral anticoagulation/antiplatelet therapy can be continued or reduced in intensity. In patients with an intermediate or high bleeding risk along with a low thrombosis risk a temporary interruption of the anticoagulation/antiplatelet therapy is feasible. In patients with a high thrombosis and bleeding risk anticoagulation should be bridged with unfractionated heparin [renal insufficiency] or low molecular weight heparin. In the latter risk situation, inhibition of platelet function can be achieved with short-lasting GPIIb-IIIa inhibitors [Eptifibatide, Tirofiban]. Prior to intervention patients treated with the new oral anticoagulants [Dabigatran; Rivaroxaban; Apixaban] are requested to temporary interrupt the anticoagulation depending on the individual drug half-life and their renal function. Bridging therapy with heparin prior to intervention is not necessary with the new oral anticoagulants., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

An 85-year-old patient suffered from progressive deterioration (NYHA III) for several months. Cardiac disease was suspected. Echocardiography as well as a CT scan of the heart revealed a heart tumor to be the cause. Tumor staging was negative. After transvenous biopsy, the diagnosis of a Burkitt lymphoma could be established. Due to the advanced age of the patient, the intented surgical therapy was turned down and the patient was treated with 6 courses of a potentially therapeutic chemotherapy (CHOP scheme), which was well tolerated by the patient. The following CT scan showed a complete remission of the tumor. Six months after chemotherapy the patient is in NYHA stage I.

An 85-year-old patient suffered from progressive deterioration (NYHA III) for several months. Cardiac disease was suspected. Echocardiography as well as a CT scan of the heart revealed a heart tumor to be the cause. Tumor staging was negative. After transvenous biopsy, the diagnosis of a Burkitt lymphoma could be established. Due to the advanced age of the patient, the intended surgical therapy was turned down and the patient was treated with 6 courses of a potentially therapeutic chemotherapy (CHOP scheme), which was well tolerated by the patient. The following CT scan showed a complete remission of the tumor. Six months after chemotherapy the patient is in NYHA stage I.

Angiogenesis in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies The importance of angiogenesis for the progressive growth and viability of solid tumors is well established. Emerging data suggest an involvement of angiogenesis in the pathophysiology of hematologic malignancies as well. Recently, we and others have reported increased angiogenesis in the bone marrow of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and normalization of bone marrow microvessel density when patients achieved a complete remission (CR) after induction chemotherapy. Tumor angiogenesis depends on the expression of specific mediators that initiate a cascade of events leading to the formation of new microvessels. Among these, VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), FGF (fibroblast growth factor) and angiopoietins play a pivotal role in the induction of neovascularization in solid tumors. These cytokines stimulate migration and proliferation of endothelial cells and induce angiogenesis in vivo. Recent data suggest an important role for these mediators in hematologic malignancies as well. Isolated AML blasts overexpress VEGF and VEGF receptor 2. Thus, the VEGF/VEGFR-2 pathway can promote the growth of leukemic blasts in an autocrine and paracrine manner. Therefore, neovascularization and angiogenic mediators/receptors may be promising targets for anti-angiogenic and anti-leukemic treatment strategies. The immunomodulatory drug thalidomide inhibits angiogenesis in animal models. Moreover, it has significant activity in refractory multiple myeloma. In a current phase II study for patients with primary refractory or relapsed multiple myeloma using a combination of thalidomide with hyperfractionated cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone (Hyper-CDT), we observed a partial remission in 12 of 14 evaluable patients (86%). Thus, this combination seems to be very potent. Furthermore, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of thalidomide in patients with AML not qualifying for intensive cytotoxic chemotherapy. 20 patients aged 58-85 (median 69) years were recruited to this phase I/II study and were treated with a dose of 200-400 mg per os daily for a duration of 1-40 (median 6) weeks, dependent on the individual tolerability of the drug. In 4 patients we observed a partial response (PR - defined as more than 50% reduction in leukemic blast infiltration in the bone marrow). This was accompanied by an increase in platelet counts and hemoglobin values. One additional patient showed a significant improvement of peripheral blood counts without fulfilling the criteria of a PR. In parallel, we observed a significant decrease in microvessel density in these 5 patients during treatment with thalidomide. In conclusion, thalidomide seems to have anti-angiogenic as well as anti-leukemic activity in AML. The VEGF/VEGFR-2 pathway seems to play an important role in AML. Therefore, receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors like SU5416 or SU6668 are currently evaluated in the context of phase II studies in AML. We could recently induce a stable remission in a patient with second relapse of her AML refractory towards chemotherapy by administration of SU5416 (compassionate use), a tyrosine kinase inhibitor of VEGFR-2 and ckit. Current and future studies will clarify the role of anti-angiogenic treatment strategies in AML and other hematologic malignancies., (Copyright 2001 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg)