Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is a pulmonary condition that can be caused by autoimmune disorders such as lupus, small vessel vasculitis, and antiphospholipid syndrome. Sarcoidosis as a cause of DAH has been reported; however, the literature remains limited. We performed a chart review for patients with a diagnosis of both sarcoidosis and DAH. Seven patients met inclusion criteria. Mean (range) patient age was 54 years (39–72), and 3 patients had a history of tobacco use. Diagnosis of DAH and sarcoidosis were concurrent for 3 patients. Corticosteroids were used for treatment of DAH in all patients; 2 (including 1 with refractory DAH) were successfully treated with rituximab. We believe sarcoidosis-associated DAH is more common than previously reported. It is essential to consider sarcoidosis in the differential diagnosis of immune-mediated DAH.
Key Points
• Sarcoidosis can cause diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH); more extensive studies are needed to estimate this condition’s prevalence.
• BMI of 25 or higher appears to be a risk factor for the development of sarcoidosis-associated DAH.
Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a condition characterized by episodes of cutaneous and submucosal edema. Angioedema of the extremities and abdominal attacks are the most common manifestations of the disease. It can also affect the upper airways with the potential of becoming life-threatening. The two most common causes of HAE are a deficiency of C1 inhibitor (classified as type 1 HAE) or a dysfunction of C1 inhibitor (type 2 HAE). A malfunction or deficiency of C1 inhibitor leads to an overactivated plasma kallikrein (an inflammatory vasoactive peptide), that increases bradykinin, mediating the angioedema episodes in patients with HAE. To minimize the difficulties of this pathology and to improve patients’ quality of life, prevention of this condition is essential. Berotralstat is a unique option for oral administration for routine prophylaxis. This drug acts by binding to kallikrein and reducing its plasma activity, lowering bradykinin levels. Open-label studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of a single daily dose of berotralstat 150 mg in preventing HAE attacks. This review aims to examine studies performed to elucidate the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of berotralstat.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.