Bevacizumab and gastrointestinal bleeding in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia

Decompensated liver failure due to portal hypertension as a result of hepatic arteriovenous malformations

Portal hypertension is usually seen because of liver cirrhosis, causing a plethora of symptoms such as ascites and oesophageal varices. However, altered hepatic vasculature can affect the portal venous pressure and thereby cause portal hypertension, giving rise to similar symptomology. This paper presents a case of recurring severe gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, ascites and oesophageal varices in a patient with hepatic arteriovenous malformations (HAVM). Physical examination, liver biopsy, clinical imaging and genetic testing disproved hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) and liver cirrhosis. Bevacizumab (BVZ) was initiated on the basis of experience from treating vascular malformations in HHT patients. The patient has not shown signs of GI bleeding since the initiation of BVZ. Genetic testing detected a mutation in the EPHB4 gene of previously unknown significance, but a connection with vascular malformations has been suggested in the literature. Collectively, this case calls for considering hepatic vascular malformations in patients with non-cirrhotic portal hypertension.

Clinical approach to the diagnosis and management of small bowel bleeding

The diagnosis and management of small bowel bleeding (SBB) can be a clinical challenge. Advances in video capsule endoscopy, balloon-assisted enteroscopy, and multiphasic computed tomography allow for localization and therapeutic intervention. Etiologies of SBB including vascular, neoplastic, and inflammatory conditions are associated with age and comorbidities. The present review highlights terminologies that describe SBB, provides a differential diagnosis for bleeding etiologies, and summarizes a clinical approach to managing this condition.

Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia With Multiple Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Manifestations: A Case Report

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), also known as Rendu-Osler-Weber syndrome, is a rare autosomal dominant multisystem disorder. It is a mucocutaneous and fibrovascular dysplasia, the diagnosis of which is based on the fulfillment of the four Curaçao criteria: 1) recurrent epistaxis; 2) dermatovascular mucosal telangiectasias at characteristic sites: skin of the face, ears, fingertips, lips, tongue, and oral and nasal cavity; 3) arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of visceral organs and central nervous system; and 4) family history: diagnosis of HHT in a first-degree relative. We describe a case of a 76-year-old patient who presented to our department with clinical manifestations of HHT in the skin (face, fingertips), lips, hard palate, tongue, ears, and nasal cavities. Individual and family history was obtained, as well as clinical laboratory examination, pan-endoscopy of the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) systems, and treatment of active foci of bleeding from the above areas. The otolaryngologist may be the first doctor to suspect Rendu-Osler-Weber syndrome and the one responsible for treating patients with HHT since recurrent epistaxis is the most frequent (90-96% of patients) and the earlier manifestation of the disease and the main reason for the arrival of these patients in the Emergency Department. The purpose of this study is to present a clinical case of Rendu-Osler-Weber syndrome with multiple ENT manifestations, as well as a review of the literature on their management and treatment.

Small Bowel Bleeding: Clinical Diagnosis and Management in the Elderly

INTRODUCTION

With the global increase in life expectancy, there is an increase in gastrointestinal presentations in the elderly. Small bowel bleeding (SBB) is a cause of significant morbidity in the elderly requiring multiple hospital visits, investigations and potentially expensive therapy.

AREAS COVERED

In this review we will outline the different modalities which are used for the diagnosis and management of SBB. We will also discuss the common causes of SBB in the elderly.

EXPERT OPINION

SBB in elderly has a significant impact on the quality of life of the elderly. Larger randomized studies in the elderly are urgently required to help guide clinicians on the best and most cost-effective treatment algorithm in this challenging cohort.

A Rare Case of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Osler-Weber-Rendu Syndrome

Osler-Weber-Rendu disease, also known as hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), is a rare, autosomal dominant condition that affects approximately 1 in 5000 patients causing abnormal blood vessel formation. HHT patients have mucocutaneous telangiectasias and arteriovenous malformations in various organs. The most prominent symptom of HHT is epistaxis, which, together with gastrointestinal bleeding, may cause iron deficiency anemia. This study is a case report of a 62-year-old patient who was admitted to the Department of Gastroenterology due to acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding and a history of recurrent epistaxis and melena for 4 days, which was confirmed in digital rectal examination. Urgent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed active bleeding from multiple angioectatic spots with bright-looking salmon-colored patches in the antrum and the body suggestive of HHT. The bleeding from two angioectatic spots was stopped by argon plasma coagulation, and four clips were placed to provide good hemostasis. The patient was treated with a proton pomp inhibitor infusion and iron infusion. She was discharged with no signs of GI bleeding, normalized iron levels and a diagnosis of HHT. She was referred to further genetic testing, including evaluation of first-degree relatives. She also had performed unenhanced thin-cut computed tomography (CT) with angiography to exclude the presence of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs). Due to the fact that the patient did not manifest any other HHT-related symptoms and that the instrumental screening discloses no silent AVMs in other organs, the "watch-and-wait strategy" was applied. Although, Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome is widely described in the medical literature, effective treatment of gastrointestinal telangiectasias is not always available and still lacks standardization to date, which makes the management of gastroenterological involvement still a challenging issue.

Iron Deficiency and the Small bowel​

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article reviews iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and suspected small bowel bleeding (SSBB) from initial consultation through laboratory evaluation, endoscopic evaluation, and therapeutic options.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent guidelines on management of SSBB, IDA, video capsule endoscopy (VCE), and device-assisted enteroscopy (DAE) are reviewed. The advantages and limitations of VCE, DAE, and imaging are discussed. Medical treatment for refractory small bowel bleeding is discussed. Evaluation of IDA starts with a detailed history and physical exam. Additional lab work can establish the diagnosis of IDA and evaluate for associated conditions. If initial endoscopic tests are unrevealing, SSBB should be ruled out. Further investigation can be performed using video capsule endoscopy (VCE), device-assisted enteroscopy (DAE), and imaging. The mainstay of medical treatment of IDA secondary to SSBB is iron supplementation. Additional treatment is tailored to the pathology and may include medical, endoscopic and surgical options.

Clinical Assessment and Lesion-Specific Management of Orbital Vascular Malformations

The systematic classification of vascular disease as proposed and refined by the International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies (ISSVA) divides vascular pathology first into tumors and malformations. Malformations are described as simple and complex, where simple malformations contain a single vascular system and complex malformations comprised of multiple vascular systems. Arteriovenous malformations are considered in terms of inflow characteristics which are primarily responsible for the key management challenges. Management utilizing endovascular embolization and/or surgical resection is often employed; however, recurrence can occur, particularly in diffuse cases. There may be an increasing role for systemic antiangiogenic therapy in such cases. Lymphaticovenous malformations are divided into the principle components on the lymphatic and venous sides for clarity of discussion. Lymphatic malformations are described morphologically as macrocystic and microcystic, and physiologically in terms of the processes responsible for growth. In both cases, surgical options are challenging and local therapeutics intended to close large luminal spaces in the case of macrocystic and to slow biological signaling for growth in microcystic. Venous malformations are described physiologically in terms of flow and distensibility, as volume plays a critical role in the limited space of the orbital cavity. Combined embolic-surgical approaches can be effective for management. More complicated, combined lesions can be managed by dividing the lesion into principal components and treating each appropriately.

Management of Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Rendu-Osler Disease

BACKGROUND

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT, or Rendu-Osler-Weber disease) is a rare inherited syndrome, characterized by artero-venous malformations (AVMs or telangiectasia) with autosomal dominant transmission. AVMs can occur in any organ of the body but most commonly it occurs in the nose, pulmonary, hepatic and cerebral circulations. In patients with HHT, we report teleangectasia of mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract.

METHODS

Research and online content related to HHT online activity is reviewed, and DOC writing excerpts are used to illustrate key themes.

RESULTS

Patients with HHT have a high rate of complications related to bleeding; of them gastrointestinal bleeding accounts for 10.8%. Several therapies, both medical and endoscopic, were utilized to reduce the need for transfusions and hospitalization.

CONCLUSION

A combination of medical and endoscopic therapy is probably the best option.

Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Patients with Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia: Risk Factors and Endoscopic Findings

Background: We aimed to describe risk factors for gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and endoscopic findings in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). Methods: This is a prospective study from a referral HHT unit. Endoscopic tests were performed when there was suspicion of GI bleeding, and patients were divided as follows: with, without, and with unsuspected GI involvement. Results: 67 (27.9%) patients with, 28 (11.7%) patients without, and 145 (60.4%) with unsuspected GI involvement were included. Age, tobacco use, endoglin (ENG) mutation, and hemoglobin were associated with GI involvement. Telangiectases were mostly in the stomach and duodenum, but 18.5% of patients with normal esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) had GI involvement in video capsule endoscopy (VCE). Telangiectases ≤ 3 mm and ≤10 per location were most common. Among patients with GI disease, those with hemoglobin < 8 g/dL or transfusion requirements (65.7%) were older and had higher epistaxis severity score (ESS) and larger telangiectases (>3 mm). After a mean follow-up of 34.2 months, patients with GI involvement required more transfusions and more emergency department and hospital admissions, with no differences in mortality. Conclusions: Risk factors for GI involvement have been identified. Patients with GI involvement and severe anemia had larger telangiectases and higher ESS. VCE should be considered in patients with suspicion of GI bleeding, even if EGD is normal.

A case report of successful treatment of high-output heart failure secondary to hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia with bevacizumab

Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder resulting in uncontrolled multisystem angiogenesis. The pathogenesis of this disease is thought to relate to elevated levels of transforming growth factor beta and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The frail arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) give rise to complications including haemorrhage and shunting. These have classically included recurrent epistaxis and gastrointestinal bleeding and associated iron-deficiency anaemia. More recently, high-output heart failure has been recognized in patients with significant hepatic involvement. This is thought to occur as a result of low systemic resistance due to shunting of blood through liver AVMs with an associated compensatory increase in cardiac output. Bevacizumab is a humanized monoclonal that acts to cause VEGF inhibition. Previously, this drug has been shown to benefit patients with HHT by reducing transfusion requirements and frequency of epistaxis. In addition, there is a growing body of evidence that bevacizumab may be associated with amelioration of high-output cardiac failure associated with HHT-induced hepatic shunting. We believe this case supports the use of bevacizumab in this context.

Diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy for small bowel arteriovenous malformations in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and study aims  Small bowel arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) pose a bleeding risk and have traditionally been diagnosed by invasive enteroscopic procedures in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). Capsule endoscopy (CE) is emerging as a safe and non-invasive alternative for small intestinal evaluation, but its diagnostic yield and utility in diagnosing small bowel AVMs in HHT patients are understudied. The aim of this study was to meta-analyze the utility of CE for diagnosing AVMs in HHT patients. Methods  A meta-analysis and systematic review of the literature on CE in HHT patients identified in the PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane databases from inception to March 2018 were conducted. Summary effects were estimated using a random effects model. Results  After applying exclusion criteria, five studies (n = 124 patients) were eligible for meta-analysis. The pooled diagnostic yield for visualization of small bowel AVMs by CE was 77.0 % (95 % CI 65.8 - 85.4 %, P  < 0.001). Conclusions  CE has a good diagnostic yield for small bowel AVMs in HHT. It can be regarded as a sufficient, noninvasive diagnostic modality for identifying small bowel AVMs in HHT patients.

Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) describes the presenting manifestations of a disorder that is characterized by pathologic blood vessels. HHT is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait with variable penetrance. The abnormal vascular structures (dysplasias) can affect all the organs in the human body. The link between a physical stimulus and new lesion development has been established for mucosal trauma owing to nasal airflow turbulence, for ultraviolet exposure to the fingers, and for mechanical trauma to the dominant hand. The pressing question then is whether HHT treatment constitutes a stimulus that is sufficient to trigger new lesion development.

Small bowel bleeding: cause and the role of endoscopy and medical therapy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The objective is to provide an overview on the cause of small bowel bleeding. We discuss the role of small bowel endoscopy in the management of small bowel bleeding and provide an outline of pharmacotherapy that can be additionally beneficial.

RECENT FINDINGS

Small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) is the initial diagnostic investigation of choice in small bowel bleeding. Computed tomography (CT) can be helpful in the context of small bowel tumours. Device-assisted enteroscopy (DAE) enables several therapeutic procedures such as argon plasma coagulation (APC) and haemoclip application. It can also guide further management with histology or by marking culprit lesions with India ink. A persistent rate of rebleeding despite APC is increasingly being reported. Pharmacotherapy has an emerging role in the management of small bowel bleeding. Somatostatin analogues are a well tolerated class of drugs that can play an additional role in the management of refractory bleeding secondary to small bowel angioectasias.

SUMMARY

SBCE is useful in determining the cause of small bowel bleeding. DAE offers an endoscopic therapeutic approach to small bowel bleeding replacing surgery and intraoperative enteroscopy. Pharmacotherapy, in addition to endotherapy, can play an important role in the management of multifocal, recurring bleeding small bowel lesions.

Intravenous Bevacizumab for Refractory Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia-Related Epistaxis and Gastrointestinal Bleeding

OBJECTIVE

To present a multiyear clinical experience with intravenous bevacizumab for the management of severe gastrointestinal bleeding and/or epistaxis in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients treated with intravenous bevacizumab for severe hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia-related bleeding from June 1, 2013, through January 31, 2017, were included in this report. Severity of epistaxis (determined using the Epistaxis Severity Score questionnaire); hemoglobin, iron, and ferritin levels; and quality of life data were collected serially in all patients.

RESULTS

Intravenous bevacizumab was administered to 34 patients using a standardized treatment protocol. Anemia was primarily related to severe epistaxis (n=15, 44%), severe gastrointestinal bleeding (n=4, 12%), or both (n=15, 44%), with a median baseline hemoglobin level of 9.1 g/dL (range, 8.3-10.5 gm/dL; to convert to mmol/L, multiply by 0.62). Red blood cell (RBC) transfusions had been administered to 28 patients (82%). Of these, 16 patients (47%) were RBC transfusion dependent and had received a median of 75 RBC transfusions (range, 4->500 RBC units) before bevacizumab initiation. The median length of follow-up was 17.6 months from the beginning of bevacizumab treatment (range, 3-42.5 months). There was a significant reduction in epistaxis severity scores (P<.001) and RBC transfusion requirements (P=.007) after completion of the initial bevacizumab treatment cycle. New-onset or worsened hypertension was noted in 4 patients, with 1 patient experiencing hypertensive urgency with a temporary decline in renal function.

CONCLUSION

Intravenous bevacizumab is an effective treatment option for patients with severe anemia related to epistaxis and/or gastrointestinal bleeding. Further studies are needed to establish a dose-response relationship as well as clinical, genetic, and biomarker predictors of response.

Overview of small bowel angioectasias: clinical presentation and treatment options

Elderly patients with multiple co-morbidities are at an increased risk of developing small bowel angioectasias. Treating these lesions can be both challenging and costly with patients requiring extensive investigations and recurrent admissions for iron infusions and blood transfusions as well as invasive procedures. This review presents treatment options and describes in detail drugs that should be considered whilst taking into account their effectiveness and their safety profile. Areas covered: A PubMed search was carried out using the following keywords: small bowel angiodysplasias, small bowel angioectasias, small bowel bleeding and obscure gastrointestinal bleeding to assess existing evidence. The pathophysiology and risk factors are covered in this review together with appropriate methods of investigation and management. Treatment options discussed are endoscopic measures, surgical options and pharmacotherapy. The role of serum biomarkers is also discussed. Expert commentary: Future work should be directed at alternative drugs with a good safety profile that target biomarkers. Novel pharmacotherapy directed at biomarkers could potentially provide a non-invasive treatment option for angioectasias particularly in the elderly where management can be challenging.

Intra-venous bevacizumab in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT): A retrospective study of 46 patients

Background

Bevacizumab, an anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody, has recently emerged as a new option for severe forms of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). Its utilization in this orphan disease has rapidly spread despite the lack of randomized trials and international guidelines. The objective of this study is to report the main clinical data (baseline characteristics, dose schedule, efficacy, adverse events and deaths) of HHT patients treated by intravenous bevacizumab in France.

Methods

Retrospective observational study of HHT patients treated with bevacizumab for a severe form of the disease in the 14 centers of the French HHT network.

Results

Forty-six patients (median age: 68 years) were treated between March 2009 and May 2015. Ten patients were treated for high output cardiac failure, 20 patients for severe hemorrhages and 16 for both indications. The standard protocol (6 infusions of 5mg/kg every 2 weeks) was initially used in 89% of the cases but diverse strategies were subsequently applied. A clinical improvement was noted by the referent physician for 74% of the patients with a median effect’s duration of 6 months. Wound healing complications led to 2 amputations. Arthralgia/arthritis and arterial hypertension occurred in 5 patients each. One third of the patients were dead at the time of the final update, coherently with age and the poor prognosis of these highly symptomatic patients.

Conclusion

Intravenous bevacizumab seems to provide a clinical benefice in severe HHT patients. Precautions concerning wound healing and vascular pathologies must be respected. Prospective double blinded versus placebo trials are needed.

Bevacizumab for Refractory Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Rendu-Osler-Weber Disease

Rendu-Osler-Weber disease, also known as hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, is a rare autosomal dominant disorder which is often characterized by recurrent epistaxis, mucocutaneous and gastrointestinal telangiectasias, and visceral arteriovenous malformations. Patients with gastrointestinal involvement can present with a wide spectrum of severity, which may vary from uncomplicated iron deficiency anemia to continuous and refractory bleeding. We present the case of a 62-year-old female, who was admitted with anemia following several episodes of melena, and whose endoscopic examination revealed multiple angiodysplasias in the stomach and small bowel. Despite endoscopic and medical treatment attempts with hormonal agents and octreotide, she developed persistent hemorrhage and severe anemia, requiring frequent red blood cell transfusions. Immediately after initiating bevacizumab (7.5 mg/kg, every 3 weeks), complete cessation of bleeding episodes was observed. Currently, after 1 year of follow-up, she maintained sustained remission without the occurrence of adverse events.

Endoglin and alk1 as therapeutic targets for hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia

INTRODUCTION

Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) is as an autosomal dominant trait characterized by frequent nose bleeds, mucocutaneous telangiectases, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of the lung, liver and brain, and gastrointestinal bleedings due to telangiectases. HHT is originated by mutations in genes whose encoded proteins are involved in the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) family signalling of vascular endothelial cells. In spite of the great advances in the diagnosis as well as in the molecular, cellular and animal models of HHT, the current treatments remain just at the palliative level. Areas covered: Pathogenic mutations in genes coding for the TGF-β receptors endoglin (ENG) (HHT1) or the activin receptor-like kinase-1 (ACVRL1 or ALK1) (HHT2), are responsible for more than 80% of patients with HHT. Therefore, ENG and ALK1 are the main potential therapeutic targets for HHT and the focus of this review. The current status of the preclinical and clinical studies, including the anti-angiogenic strategy, have been addressed. Expert opinion: Endoglin and ALK1 are attractive therapeutic targets in HHT. Because haploinsufficiency is the pathogenic mechanism in HHT, several therapeutic approaches able to enhance protein expression and/or function of endoglin and ALK1 are keys to find novel and efficient treatments for the disease.