Acute systemic lupus erythematosus with fatal pneumonitis and disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Abstract

SUMMARY We report the case of a 40-year-old female with acute onset of systemic lupus erythematosus, followed rapidly by the development of fatal pneumonitis and disseminated intravascular coagulation. The likely relationship between these events and the therapeutic options are discussed.

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation in a Patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus with Lupus Anticoagulant.

“…Only ll cases ofSLE associated with DIC without any complications which usually induce DIC , have been reported to date (6,(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23). In these reports, vascular involvement was found in most cases, and the patients had severe clinical manifestations (Table 1).…”

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation in a Patient with Progressive Systemic Sclerosis Associated with Necrotizing Angiitis and Generalized Lymphadenopathy

“…In addition, if thrombocytopenia and severe coagulation abnormalities are detected in patients with PSS, the possibility of associated DIC should be taken into account. Glucocorticoids have been proven beneficial for the treatment of DIC in SLE [3,4]. Although a glucocorticoid was not admin istered to our patient, a sufficient dose of glucocorti coid should be given together with heparin in patients with DIC in PSS.…”

Disseminated intravascular coagulation, antiphospholipid antibodies, and ischaemic necrosis of extremities.

“…The pulmonary changes present in our patient may have represented an acute interstitial pneumonitis as in the patient referred to above. 22 Failure to appreciate the probable nature of the illness in this patient at the outset led to treatment with antibiotics that was probably inappropriate, while essential immunosuppressive therapy was delayed. Sudden unexplained vascular events of this type should cause suspicion that antiphospholipid antibodies may be present, leading to earlier diagnosis and perhaps to the development of more rational early therapy.…”