Akutes Rechtsherzversagen bei einem Patienten mit extremer Leukozytose

We report on the case of a 33-year-old male patient with dyspnea, pulmonary infiltrates and severe leukocytosis. The diagnosis of an acute myeloic leukemia (FAB Ml) was made. Immediate polychemotherapy was started, but the patient developed cardiogenic shock and died. On autopsy, signs of right heart failure and an impressive obstruction of pulmonary capillaries by leukemic cells were found. Pathophysiological aspects of the pulmonary leukostasis syndrome and therapeutic options are briefly discussed.