Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome presented with severe hypertension, adult respiratory distress syndrome and unilateral adrenal haemorrhagic infarction.
We are reporting a case of catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) in an adult female manifested with severe hypertension followed by adrenal haemorrhagic infarction and adult respiratory distress syndrome. Adrenal involvement appears to be exceedingly high in CAPS and adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is the prevailing pulmonary manifestation in this condition, compared with these impediments in patients with simple antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Even though the above manifestations are well recognized, their combination as an initial presentation of CAPS is uncommon.
Starakis
Ioannis
I
Department of Internal Medicine, Patras University Hospital, 26500 Rion, Patras, Greece. istarakis@yahoo.com
Mazokopakis
Elias
E
Siagris
Dimitris
D
Liossis
Stamatis
S
Karatza
Chrysoula
C
Antonopoulos
Andrew
A
D000307:Adrenal Gland Diseases; D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000098:blood supply*; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006974:Hypertension, Malignant / Q000150:complications*; D007238:Infarction / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010956:Plasmapheresis; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000150:complications*