Severe postpartum pulmonary, cardiac, and renal syndrome associated with antiphospholipid antibodies.
BACKGROUND
The antiphospholipid antibody syndrome has been associated with thromboembolic events, thrombocytopenia, fetal death, fetal growth retardation, and early-onset severe preeclampsia.


METHODS
A postpartum woman developed fever, pulmonary infiltrates, cardiac conduction defects, and renal insufficiency following severe preeclampsia. She tested positive for lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibody, and responded to steroid therapy and plasmapheresis.


CONCLUSIONS
The postpartum multi-system involvement suggests that a variety of clinical presentations may be associated with antiphospholipid antibodies. Treatment with plasmapheresis or corticosteroids may be of value in similar cases.
Kupferminc
M J
MJ
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois.
Lee
M J
MJ
Green
D
D
Peaceman
A M
AM
D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / Q000097:blood; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D002037:Bundle-Branch Block / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D010956:Plasmapheresis; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia; D011247:Pregnancy; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000032:analysis
D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid; D013256:Steroids; D014841:von Willebrand Factor