A Case Report. Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome

• Published in: Medicina U.P.B Vol. 32; no. 1; p. 83
• Main Authors: Osorio Gutiérrez, Cristina Isabel, Lotero Cadavid, Andrés Felipe, Cadavid Gutiérrez, Carlos Alberto
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Spanish
• Published: Medellín Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana 01.01.2013
• ISSN: 0120-4874; 2357-6308

Twentysixyearold, female patient with a clinical history of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Lupus Panniculitis, and Antiphospholipid Syndrome. She was admitted to the emergency room after two days of symptoms of asthenia, fever, and profuse bleeding from ulcers in the lower limbs. Physical examination revealed generalized edema and tachycardia. The requested tests showed coagulation abnormalities, alterations in the complement and liver enzymes. Presence of Streptococcus spp bacteremia was also determined. Patient was hospitalized and antibiotic treatment was started. While she was in the hospital, she required close monitoring, active and multidisciplinary management by the medical staff of the institution due to severe and rapid health deterioration. However, despite treatment, the patient developed multiple organ failure leading to death within only seven days of the beginning of the symptomatology.