Massive pulmonary embolism and acute renal failure in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and secondary antiphospholipid syndrome: A case report


ÇETİNKAYA R., Odabaş A. R., Selçuk Y., karakuzu A., Varoğlu E., Ak C., ...More

PAIN CLINIC, vol.14, no.1, pp.89-91, 2002 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 14 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2002
  • Doi Number: 10.1163/156856902760189241
  • Journal Name: PAIN CLINIC
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.89-91
  • Keywords: antiphospholipid syndrome, pulmonary embolism, systemic lupus erythematosus, ANTIBODIES, NEPHRITIS, LUNG
  • Akdeniz University Affiliated: No

Abstract

A 50 year old, previously healthy woman came to our attention with high fever, arthralgia and oliguria. Serological tests were positive for antinuclear antibodies, anti-double-stranded-DNA antibodies and cardiolipin antibodies. Renal histology indicated diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis. Three days after the hospitalisation, the patient developed massive pulmonary embolism and dialysis-dependent acute renal failure, for which she was dialysed. Heparin 1000 U/hour (7 days), methylprednisolone (1000 mg/day for 3 days) and cyclophosphamide (500 mg for one day) were administered. This therapy led to a dramatic improvement of renal and pulmonary functions and, consequently, treatment with hemodialysis could be stopped after 3 weeks. This case illustrates an uncommon manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus associated with antiphospholipid syndrome.