Coexistence of giant aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva and coronary artery aneurysm associated with idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome

Case report: Serious unexpected vascular events in two patients with lymphocytic variant hypereosinophilic syndrome

Background

Lymphocytic-variant hypereosinophilic syndrome (L-HES) is a form of reactive hypereosinophilia, most commonly associated with interleukin-5 over-production by clonal, most commonly CD3-CD4+CD2hiCD5hiCD45RO+ T-cells. Patients often present with predominant cutaneous and soft-tissue manifestations, while cardiovascular involvement is uncommon.

Methods

We reviewed the medical files of two L-HES patients followed in our center who developed serious vascular complications and performed a literature review for similar cases.

Results

Patient 1, a 52-year-old female, presented with an ischemic stroke secondary to left middle cerebral artery dissection after 10 years of indolent L-HES. Blood eosinophilia was controlled with oral corticosteroids (OCS), but OCS-tapering attempts with hydroxyurea and pegylated interferon failed, prompting the introduction of mepolizumab with rapid normalization. Patient 2, a 62-year-old female, had been asymptomatic for 10 years without treatment when a NSTEMI occurred, due to coronary artery occlusion secondary to a large cauliflower-aneurysm of the proximal aorta and aneurysmal dilatation of several coronary arteries, requiring semi-urgent surgical management. Aortic wall staining for eosinophil major basic protein showed eosinophils in the adventitia. Blood eosinophilia was controlled with OCS.

Conclusions

Patients with apparently clinically benign L-HES may develop arterial complications, consisting in dissection and/or aneurysm dilatation of medium-to-large vessels with serious consequences. The value of performing regular vascular imaging and monitoring during follow-up has yet to be determined.

Giant Coronary Artery Aneurysm with Thrombosis Complicated in a Patient with Idiopathic Hypereosinophilic Syndrome

Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (iHES) is a rare systemic disease that is characterized by persistent peripheral eosinophilia (absolute eosinophil count ≥1500/uL) for more than 6 months, with end-organ damage and absence of a primary cause for eosinophilia. Coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) is a rare but life-threatening complication. Here, we report a case of CAA with thrombosis in a patient with iHES in whom the disease activity was well-controlled (eosinophil count <500/uL) for several years. Despite modest control of the disease activity, giant CAA can be associated with iHES; and therefore, close surveillance and monitoring for the development of complications is warranted.

"Idiopathic Eosinophilic Vasculitis": Another Side of Hypereosinophilic Syndrome? A Comprehensive Analysis of 117 Cases in Asthma-Free Patients

BACKGROUND

The absence of asthma may rule out a diagnosis of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis in patients with hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) and features of vasculitis.

OBJECTIVE

To describe eosinophilic vasculitis (EoV) as a possible manifestation of HES in asthma-free patients.

METHODS

We screened our hospital database and the literature for patients with HES who met the following 4 criteria: (1) histopathological or clinical features of EoV (biopsy-proven vasculitis with predominant eosinophilic infiltration of the vessel wall and/or features of vasculitis with tissue and/or blood hypereosinophilia [absolute eosinophil count >1.5 G/L]); (2) no other obvious causes of reactive eosinophilia, organ damage, and vasculitis; (3) the absence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies; and (4) the absence of current asthma.

RESULTS

Ten of our 83 (12%) asthma-free patients with HES and 107 additional cases in the literature met the criteria for EoV. After a critical analysis of the patients' clinical and laboratory characteristics and outcomes, we identified 41 cases of single-organ EoV (coronary arteritis, n = 29; temporal arteritis, n = 8; cerebral vasculitis, n = 4). Of the remaining 76 patients with EoV, the most frequent manifestations (>10%) were cutaneous vasculitis (56%), peripheral neuropathy (24%), thromboangiitis obliterans-like disease (16%), fever (13%), central nervous system involvement (13%), deep venous thrombosis (12%), and nonasthma lung manifestations (12%). Blood hypereosinophilia more than 1.5 G/L was observed in 79% of patients, and necrotizing vasculitis was observed in 44%.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that idiopathic EoV (HES-associated vasculitis) can be classified as an eosinophilic-rich, necrotizing, systemic form of vasculitis that affects vessels of various sizes in asthma-free patients.

Hypereosinophilic syndrome: an indolent rash with a serious cardiac complication

Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a rare disorder, characterized by prominent blood or tissue eosinophilia with ensuing tissue damage, which is diagnosed after exclusion of underlying diseases known to cause HES. Sustained eosinophilia is associated with cardiac disease, including endomyocardial thrombosis and fibrosis, leading to restrictive cardiomyopathy, valvular dysfunction and increased thrombotic tendency. Aneurysmal coronary artery disease (CAD) occurring in the absence of stenotic atherosclerotic plaques is extremely rare. We present a case of idiopathic HES in a 30-year-old woman with asymptomatic multianeurysmal CAD and a sinus of Valsalva aneurysm, and discuss a brief review of the literature and management strategies.

The lymphoid variant of hypereosinophilic syndrome: study of 21 patients with CD3-CD4+ aberrant T-cell phenotype

The CD3-CD4+ aberrant T-cell phenotype is the most described in the lymphoid variant of hypereosinophilic syndrome (L-HES), a rare form of HES. Only a few cases have been reported, and data for these patients are scarce. To describe characteristics and outcome of CD3-CD4+ L-HES patients, we conducted a national multicentric retrospective study in the French Eosinophil Network. All patients who met the recent criteria of hypereosinophilia (HE) or HES and who had a persistent CD3-CD4+ T-cell subset on blood T-cell phenotyping were included. Clinical and laboratory data were retrospectively collected by chart review. CD3-CD4+ L-HES was diagnosed in 21 patients (13 females, median age 42 years [range, 5-75 yr]). Half (48%) had a history of atopic manifestations. Clinical manifestations were dermatologic (81%), superficial adenopathy (62%), rheumatologic (29%), gastrointestinal (24%), pulmonary (19%), neurologic (10%), and cardiovascular (5%). The median absolute CD3-CD4+ T-cell count was 0.35 G/L (range, 0.01-28.3), with a clonal TCRγδ rearrangement in 76% of patients. The mean follow-up duration after HES diagnosis was 6.9 ± 5.1 years. All patients treated with oral corticosteroids (CS) (n = 18) obtained remission, but 16 required CS-sparing treatments. One patient had a T-cell lymphoma 8 years after diagnosis, and 3 deaths occurred during follow-up.In conclusion, clinical manifestations related to CD3-CD4+ T cell-associated L-HES are not limited to skin, and can involve all tissue or organs affected in other types of HE. Contrary to FIP1L1-PDGFRA chronic eosinophilic leukemia patients, CS are always effective in these patients, but CS-sparing treatments are frequently needed. The occurrence of T-cell lymphoma, although rare in our cohort, remains a major concern during follow-up.

Endovascular Aneurysm Repair for Multiple Aneurysms as a Sequel of Hypereosinophilic Syndrome

This case represents the first report of multiple arterial aneurysms including aortic, iliac, visceral, and coronary aneurysms associated with hypereosinophilic syndrome. It presents an interesting case of epinephrine abuse and the unfortunate sequelae. This case illustrates novel approaches in emergency repair of internal iliac artery aneurysm rupture and the management of visceral artery aneurysms and exemplifies how multiple endovascular technologies can be utilized even in the high-risk polymorbid patient.

Coronary involvement in Churg-Strauss syndrome: a case report with CT findings

We report a case of Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) associated with coronary artery involvement, as demonstrated on coronary CT angiography (CCTA), without specific cardiac symptoms. A 69-year-old male had an 8-year history of bronchial asthma and chronic sinusitis with hypereosinophilia (35 %), polyneuropathy, and a positive antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody titer, so he was diagnosed with CSS. The patient had no specific cardiac symptoms, but CCTA showed vasculitis and a saccular aneurysm involving the proximal coronary arteries. The 3-year follow-up CCTA demonstrated an increase in the extent of soft-tissue wall thickening and infiltration involving the coronary arteries. Although vasculitis of the major coronary arteries is not a prominent feature of CSS, our case suggests that the coronary arteries may also be targeted in this syndrome.

Hyperimmunoglobulinemia E syndrome associated with coronary artery aneurysms: deficiency of central memory CD4+ T cells and expansion of effector memory CD4+ T cells

BACKGROUND

Hyperimmunoglobulinemia E syndrome is a primary immunodeficiency disorder characterized by elevated IgE levels, recurrent infections, pruritic rash, and skeletal and dental abnormalities. Autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, and sporadic forms have been described. Coronary artery aneurysms and analysis of central (TCMs) and effector (TEMs) memory T cells have not been previously reported with this syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

To describe a 30-year-old woman with hyperimmunoglobulinemia E syndrome who was found to have coronary artery aneurysms, deficiency in CD4+ TCMs, and expansion of CD4+ TEMs expressing CD45RA antigen (TEMRAs).

METHODS

The patient presented to the clinic after hospitalization for chest pain. Coronary angiogram performed during the hospitalization revealed aneurysms in multiple coronary arteries with thrombus formation. In addition, she had a history of recurrent pneumonia, staphylococcal skin abscesses, and a pruritic facial rash. An extensive immunologic evaluation was performed.

RESULTS

Immunologic studies revealed increased serum IgE levels (13,434 IU/dL), decreased proliferative responses to the soluble recall antigens tetanus toxoid and Candida albicans, and normal responses to mitogens. Analysis of lymphocyte subsets showed a deficiency of CD4+ TEMs and an increase in CD4+ TEMRAs. In addition, a decreased proportion and number of memory B cells and a deficiency in antibody response to pneumococcal antigens were observed.

CONCLUSION

Hyperimmunoglobulinemia E syndrome may be associated with coronary artery aneurysms and with deficiency in CD4+ TEMs and expansion of CD4+ TEMRAs. Comprehensive immunologic evaluation should be performed in patients with this syndrome.

Nontraumatic pseudoaneurysm of the proximal ulnar artery with eosinophilia

Proximal ulnar artery aneurysms, including pseudoaneurysms, have not been described in the English literature. We report a nontraumatic pseudoaneurysm of the proximal ulnar artery with eosinophilia in a 54-year-old man. Radial, coronary, and hepatic artery aneurysms associated with eosinophilia in idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome or allergic granulomatous angiitis (Churg Strauss syndrome) have been reported. Although it is unclear in the present case whether eosinophilia was associated with the pseudoaneurysm of the ulnar artery, eosinophil infiltration into the aneurysmal wall may have influenced vascular injury as the cause of the pseudoaneurysm formation.

Aortic root dilatation with sinus of valsalva and coronary artery aneurysms associated with ankylosing spondylitis

The HLA-B27-related spondyloarthopathies are associated with cardiovascular disease in 2% to 10% of cases. Inflammation and sclerosis of the aortic root and ventricular septum have been linked to the development of isolated aortic regurgitation and conduction abnormalities; however, aneurysms of the aortic sinuses and coronary arteries have not been previously described. We report the case of a 58-year-old white man who presented for evaluation of dyspnea and was found to have aneurysms of the sinuses of Valsalva and the circumflex coronary artery. The patient underwent aortic root replacement. Approximately 3 months later, he presented with symptoms, radiographs, and laboratory data consistent with ankylosing spondylitis. To our knowledge, these particular cardiovascular manifestations of HLA-B27-related disease have not been previously reported. This case expands the clinical spectrum of the disease and should prompt the clinician to consider the possibility of HLA-B27-associated cardiovascular disease in patients who have aortic and coronary aneurysms.