TITLE:
Recurrent pulmonary embolism in a boy with antiphospholipid syndrome
AUTHORS:
Christian Müller, Christian Willaschek, Mathias Borst, Reiner Buchhorn
KEYWORDS:
Pulmonary Embolism; Antiphospholipid Syndrome; APS; Inhaled Corticosteroid
JOURNAL NAME:
Case Reports in Clinical Medicine,
Vol.2 No.5,
August
9,
2013
ABSTRACT: We report a 14-year-old patient with recurrent pulmonary embolism due to catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) with severe pulmonary inflammation. We considered elevated antibodies against cardiolipin and anti-beta2-glycoprotein-1, but no clinical nor laboratory manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Pulmonary embolism had been the first manifestation of catastrophic APS in this patient. We prescribed warfarin and systemic corticosteroids. A second embolism appeared during anticoagulation with warfarin. This event led to a marked decrease of his physical performance due to his obstructive and restrictive lung disease. Anticoagulation was changed from enteral warfarin to subcutaneous enoxaparine. We also prescribed inhaled corticosteroid which led to an improvement of his respiratory symptoms and overall poor physical condition.