1. Aortitis in the setting of catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus
- Author
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Yasmina Sarhane, Andrés González-García, Pilar Masso, Mónica López-Rodríguez, José Luis Patier, Miguel Martínez Lacalzada, Luis Manzano, María Tenorio, Sandra Redondo, and Grisel Starita Fajardo
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,Blue Toe Syndrome ,030204 cardiovascular system & hematology ,Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Rheumatology ,immune system diseases ,Antiphospholipid syndrome ,Adrenal Cortex Hormones ,Medicine ,Humans ,Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ,skin and connective tissue diseases ,Catastrophic Illness ,Aortitis ,030203 arthritis & rheumatology ,Lupus anticoagulant ,Plasma Exchange ,business.industry ,Anticoagulants ,Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ,Hydroxychloroquine ,Thrombosis ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,Antiphospholipid Syndrome ,Dermatology ,Combined Modality Therapy ,Antibodies, Antiphospholipid ,Rituximab ,Female ,business ,medicine.drug - Abstract
Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) is a rare condition characterized by multiple thromboses affecting mainly small vessels in a short period of time in patients with antiphospholipid antibodies. A high suspicion index is mandatory in order to initiate rapidly aggressive immunomodulatory therapy to avoid a very poor prognosis. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is often associated with antiphospholipid syndrome, with a worse outcome when the catastrophic features occur. We report the case of a 64-year-old woman with a clinical debut of SLE who presented concomitantly with CAPS with several thrombosis affecting the kidney, spleen and bilateral limbs with blue toe syndrome in both legs. Furthermore, she presented with aortitis, with a malaise and myalgias and general syndrome (asthenia, hyporexia and mild weight loss). Fortunately, she had a good response to multi-target combination therapy (anticoagulants, corticosteroids, hydroxychloroquine, intravenous immunoglobulins, plasma exchange and rituximab). Here, we discuss the association between aortitis and CAPS secondary to SLE, and review the literature regarding similar conditions.
- Published
- 2020