title: Catastrophic antiphospholipid antibody syndrome in a young woman in the postpartum period.
abstract: A 27-year-old Hispanic female was admitted to hospital with fever, a sudden marked decrease in vision, and multi-organ failure shortly after preterm delivery by cesarean section for eclampsia. Her past history was significant for a spontaneous first trimester abortion and one live birth complicated by intrauterine growth retardation. She was found to have several focal brain infarcts, exudative retinal detachment, bilateral adrenal hemorrhage, renal insufficiency, hypertension and subsequently hypotension. Positive anticardiolipin antibodies, lupus anticoagulant, and anti-B2 glycoprotein-I, as well as deranged coagulation profile and PTT mixing studies aided in the diagnosis of catastrophic antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. Anticoagulation and high-dose intravenous steroids led to significant improvement in the patient's condition, including her vision.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Chattanooga 37403, USA.
authors.forename: Tatiana B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Jacobson
authors.forename: Victor O
authors.initials: VO
authors.lastname: Kolade
authors.forename: Avni S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Kapadia
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D049590:Postpartum Period; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin; D006493:Heparin