title: Retinoic acid syndrome--cardiac complication.
abstract: Retinoic acid syndrome is a novel complication of therapy with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APML). Primarily the syndrome consists of fever and respiratory distress. Additional features include weight gain, oedema over lower extremities, pleural or pericardial effusion and hypotension. We report electrophysiological changes in a 16 year old patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia following treatment with ATRA. Such an unusual complication is a rarity and to the best of our knowledge has not been previously reported.
authors.affiliation: Army Hospital (R&R), Delhi Cantt 110010.
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Dhar
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Barman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D015473:Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute / Q000188:drug therapy; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D013577:Syndrome; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D014212:Tretinoin; D003907:Dexamethasone