Pancreatitis and fatal ARDS following high-dose cytarabine induction for acute myelogenous leukemia

Abstract

Objective. To describe a case of fatal acute respira tory distress syndrome (ARDS) and pancreatitis aris ing from high-dose cytarabine induction therapy.

Case Summary. A 50-year-old male without a history of hepatobiliary disease and with a diagnosis of acute myelogenous leukemia was treated with high-dose cytarabine therapy. Tumor lysis occurred promptly; the white cell count reached a nadir of 100/mm ³ 3 days after initiation of therapy. Severe mid-epigastric pain, fever, hypotension, and increased lipase and amylase occurred on the 6th day of cytara bine therapy. Cytarabine was discontinued 6 days after initiation. Serum amylase and lipase were persis tently elevated; respiratory failure due to ARDS ensued, and the patient expired of refractory hypoxemia.

Discussion. Cytarabine-associated pancreatitis is a rare occurrence. Literature reports have described pancreatitis after high-dose cytarabine therapy for induction of remission of ALL and acute myelogenous leukemia. Pancreatitis resolved in all reported cases on discontinuation of cytarabine. In our patient, drug-induced pancreatitis likely provoked the onset of ARDS, which concluded with fatal respiratory failure. The absence of positive cultures decreased the likeli hood of sepsis-induced ARDS; the time course of cytarabine administration was temporally associated with the development of pancreatitis.

Conclusions. Acute pancreatitis is a rare but potentially fatal event associated with high-dose cy tarabine therapy.