Corticosteroid responsive pulmonary hypertension in systemic lupus erythematosus

Summary Primary pulmonary hypertension is an irreversible and fatal disorder. Every effort should therefore be made to discover all the other treatable diseases which may be associated with pulmonary hypertension. The association of systemic lupus erythematosus and pulmonary hypertension was rarely reported in the past. We add another case in which pulmonary hypertension was the presenting symptom of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In contrast to the previously reported cases, our patient responded well to corticosteroids. It is assumed that this favorable response was due to the relatively early stage of the disease, when the histopathologic pulmonary changes were still in the reversible inflammatory stage.     

系统性红斑狼疮并发肺动脉高压1例并文献复习

目的提高对系统性红斑狼疮（SLE）并发肺动脉高压（PHT）的发病机制、临床表现、治疗及预后的认识。方法对1例并发PHT的SLE病例进行分析和讨论,并结合相关文献复习。结果SLE并发PHT的机制尚不明确。其临床表现无特异性,早期症状多为呼吸困难。SLE患者出现雷诺征时,应高度怀疑PHT的存在。大剂量糖皮质激素联合免疫抑制剂可显著降低PHT。结论SLE并发PHT常提示预后不良,应尽早诊断及治疗。针对原发病的强化治疗可有效降低PHT。     

Clinical aspects of pulmonary hypertension in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension

Clinical aspects and pathology of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have been reported to be similar to those in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). To determine whether PH in these patients is similar, we compared the clinical characteristics, hemodynamics at diagnosis, and survival in groups of patients with SLE–PH and IPAH. We reviewed the case records of 20 patients with SLE–PH and 34 patients with IPAH, who had been assessed by echocardiography or right cardiac catheterization at Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, from January 1995 to October 2003. Clinical features, laboratory data, chest X-rays, electrocardiogram results, pulmonary function tests, pulmonary perfusion scans, echocardiographic findings, serologic profiles, and survival were compared in the two groups of patients. The mean follow-up period was 18.1±20.6 months for patients with SLE–PH and 33.0±23.4 months for patients with IPAH. During follow-up, 12 SLE–PH (60%) and 11 IPAH (32%) patients died. For SLE–PH, the 3-year survival rate was 44.9% and the 5-year survival rate was 16.8%. For IPAH, the 3-year survival rate was 73.4% and the 5-year survival rate was 68.2% (p=0.02). There were no other significant differences in clinical characteristics and laboratory data between the two groups. In contrast to previous reports that the prognosis of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with collagen vascular disease was better than that of patients with IPAH, we found that the prognosis of patients with SLE–PH was much worse than that of patients with IPAH.     

Pulmonary hypertension in systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus is associated with several forms of pulmonary hypertension. It can cause pulmonary hypertension through pulmonary thromboembolic disease, left heart disease and lung disease as well as causing an isolated pulmonary vasculopathy called pulmonary arterial hypertension. The true prevalence of pulmonary arterial hypertension in patients with lupus is not known but probably is no more than 1%. Currently, treatment for lupus-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension is with pulmonary vasodilators including phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, endothelin receptor antagonists and prostacyclin analogues, as it is for other causes of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Case series suggest there may be a special role for immunosuppression in this rare group of patients. We present two brief case histories and summarise our experience over 15 years. Prognosis is better in lupus-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension than in systemic sclerosis-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension, but unfortunately it remains a fatal condition in most patients.     

Primary and secondary pulmonary hypertension in systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVES: To describe the aetiology and clinical profile of primary and secondary pulmonary hypertension (PHT) in SLE patients. METHODS: A retrospective study of SLE patients with PHT identified from a cohort of 786 SLE patients seen at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore. RESULTS: 22 patients had primary and 24 patients had secondary PHT, with similar clinical features at presentation and a similar degree of pulmonary pressure elevation. Secondary PHT was due to valvular heart disease (50%), pulmonary embolism (13%), interstitial lung disease (8%) or a combination of these factors (29%). Primary PHT tended to present after a shorter duration of lupus than secondary PHT (8.8 vs 43.2 months, P=0.118). At presentation, Raynaud's phenomenon was present in 34.8% of subjects with primary or secondary PHT. Among those with secondary PHT, the presence of Raynaud's phenomenon was associated with a trend towards higher pulmonary artery systolic pressures (51.0 vs 40.5 mmHg, P=0. 101). 17% of patients with PHT died, but from causes unrelated to PHT. CONCLUSION: Primary and secondary PHT are equally common in SLE patients. Secondary PHT is often multi-factorial, and Raynaud's phenomenon may be a marker for the severity of PHT in this group of patients.     

系统性红斑狼疮合并肺动脉高压38例临床分析

目的 分析系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)合并肺动脉高压(PHT)的发病机制、临床特点、治疗及预后.方法 对38例诊断明确、资料完整的SLE合并PHT患者进行回顾性分析.结果 38例患者中出现肺动脉高压距SLE确诊的平均间隔期为2.3年;其中3例为严重PHT;伴明显的心力衰竭;雷诺现象27例;38例患者抗核抗体(ANA)均为阳性,抗dsDNA抗体阳性21例,抗Sm抗体阳性16例,抗SSA、SSB抗体阳性8例,抗磷脂抗体升高4例,类风湿因子(RF)升高13例,抗U1RNP抗体阳性15例;合并肺纤维化者7例.所有患者经激素及免疫抑制剂等治疗后,3例死亡,余35例病情稳定.结论 PHT是SLE的一个严重并发症,预后不良,雷诺现象是其早期的临床表现.早期诊断、早期联合治疗PHT是控制病情的关键.     

Paediatric-onset systemic lupus erythematosus

Paediatric-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is usually more severe than its adult counterpart. In particular, there is a higher incidence of renal and central nervous system involvement. Specific measures to assess disease activity and damage have been implemented. The disease is very rare before the fifth birthday and therefore the onset of an SLE picture in the first years of life should lead to the suspicion of the presence of one of the rare monogenic diseases that causes SLE or of one of those congenital diseases that has been showed to be closely associated with the SLE.     

Low-dose epoprostenol improved pulmonary hypertension in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

A 43-year-old Japanese woman was referred to our hospital in 1997 because of Raynaud’s phenomenon. Systemic lupus erythematosus was diagnosed on the basis of the presence of antinuclear antibody (1:1,280), anti-DNA antibody (1:640), anti-Sm antibody, antiphospholipid antibody, lymphopenia, and proteinuria. She developed pulmonary fibrosis in 1999 and pulmonary hypertension in 2001. In October 2002, a 24-hr continuous infusion of epoprostenol was started. Dyspnea, Raynaud’s phenomenon, and pulmonary hypertension improved with low-dose epoprostenol (3.0 to 4.0 ng kg⁻¹ min⁻¹). The patient could not tolerate larger doses of epoprostenol so 4.0 ng kg⁻¹ min⁻¹ was selected as the maintenance dose. The clinical course was uneventful at this dosage. It appears that pulmonary hypertension can be controlled with low-dose epoprostenol such as 3.0 to 4.0 ng kg⁻¹ min⁻¹ in some rheumatic patients.     

Severe hypertension associated with multiple intrarenal microaneurysms in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid antibodies

 A 26-year-old Japanese woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) developed severe hyperten-sion and an increased active renin concentration (ARC), ischemic colitis, and splenic infarction. She had antiphospholipid antibodies (APA), multiple intrarenal microaneurysms, and multiple stenoses of the mesenteric arteries. Combination therapy with antihypertensive agents, aspirin, warfarin, and corticosteroids (30 mg daily) controlled her abdominal symptoms and hypertension. Multiple intrarenal microaneurysms in SLE with APA may be the cause of severe hypertension and elevated serum ARC. Received: July 2, 2001 / Accepted: December 11, 2001     

系统性红斑狼疮合并肺动脉高压23例临床分析

目的分析系统性红斑狼疮（SLE）合并肺动脉高压（PAH）的发生率、临床特点及诊断方法，以便早期诊断PAH并进行治疗。方法选取我院102例诊断明确、资料完整的SLE患者，按照PAH诊断标准，对其进行回顾性分析。结果102例SLE患者中23例出现PAH，发生率为22．5％，其中女性19例，男性4例；年龄21-67岁，平均年龄（45±13）岁。进一步分析各项临床指标并进行两组间比较（t检验X^2检验、秩和检验）。单因素分析结果显示：PAH组与无PAH组在病程、栓塞史、浆膜腔积液、抗Sm抗体、抗核糖体抗体、血尿酸、右房横径、右房长径、肺动脉内径、右室横径等指标上差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）；对以上因素进行Logistic回归分析显示SLE合并PAH与病程长短、栓塞史、抗sm抗体、右房横径明显相关（P〈0．05）。结论本组SLE患者PAH的发生率为22．5％，其中60％为轻度PAH。病程长、抗Sm抗体阳性、合并血栓形成的SLE患者易出现PAH。     

Circulating lupus type anticoagulant and pulmonary hypertension associated with mixed connective tissue disease

Summary We report the case of a young woman, with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), associated with disabling pulmonary hypertension and presence of the lupus anticoagulant. The lupus anticoagulant, an antibody directed against phospholipid components, was linked in our patient to extensive thrombophlebitis and premature labor. Raynaud's phenomenon progressed towards finger necrosis in spite of optimal vasodilating treatment. The part played by the lupus anticoagulant in pulmonary hypertension remains to be established. Both these complications responded to prednisolone therapy, but the improvement was limited and short-lived.     

Successful treatment of fulminant pulmonary hemorrhage associated with systemic lupus erythematosus

We report a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who developed fulminant pulmonary hemorrhage. This patient also showed liver dysfunction, bicytopenia and hyperferritinemia, with an increase in serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) at the onset of pulmonary symptoms, probably indicating an associated hemophagocytic syndrome. Despite an acute progressive course temporarily requiring mechanical ventilation the patient was successfully treated with continuous drip infusion of tacrolimus, plasmapheresis and intravenous high-dose immunoglobulin and corticosteroid. In this patient increased inflammatory cytokines ascribable to activation of macrophages and/or helper T cells were considered to play an important role in the pathogenesis of the pulmonary hemorrhage. Because this complication is frequently fatal in SLE, intensive therapy, including immunosuppressants and plasmapheresis, should be actively considered as early as possible after onset.Abbreviations HPS Hemophagocytic syndrome - SLE Systemic lupus erythematosus - TNF Tumor necrosis factor     

Pulmonary hypertension in systemic lupus erythematosus

A prospective echocardiographic and clinical study was performed on 84 Chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 99 controls to investigate the prevalence and the mechanism of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in SLE. Comparison between Doppler estimation and catheterization measurement was made in 12 cases to validate the predictive method. Compared to normal subjects, lupus patients had significantly increased sys-tolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) (29.59±12.52 vs 19.64±5.82, P<0.001), mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) (15.11±7.36 vs 10.21±4.72, P<0.001) and total pulmonary resistance (TPR) (315.85±190.65 vs 220.37± 55.92, P<0.001). Nine of the 84 patients presented PH, defined as SPAP >30 mmHg and MPAP >20 mmHg. Pulmonary hypertensive patients had higher serum endothelin (ET) than non-pulmonary hypertensive patients, were more commonly in active stages, and presented Raynaud's phenomenon and rheumatoid factors. ET level was correlated with echocardiographic pulmonary pressure. Pulmonary hypertension commonly occurs in Chinese patients with SLE (11%), and it correlates with the lupus activity and the elevation of serum endothelin. Received: 29 April 1998 / Accepted: 30 September 1998     

A case of systemic lupus erythematosus associated with trigger wrist

A 54-year-old woman complained of a painful, swollen, and clicking left wrist for 1 year. She had an 8-year history of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), treated with oral prednisolone. Flexion and extension of all fingers were difficult to initiate on wrist extension, and movement was accompanied by a palpable click at the wrist. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and tenography revealed the expanded sheath of the flexor tendons and well-defined round free bodies known as rice bodies. Synovectomy and excision of rice bodies resulted in complete disappearance of swelling and triggering of the wrist. Received: August 23, 2000 / Accepted: July 6, 2001     

Immunopathologic and clinical studies in pulmonary hypertension associated with systemic lupus erythematosus

PH is an uncommon manifestation of SLE. The symptoms of PH develop within a few years after the onset of the multisystem disease. The most common presenting complaints of SLE patients with PH are dyspnea on exertion, chest pain, nonproductive cough, edema, and fatigue or weakness. The important physical findings are a loud second pulmonic heart sound and a right ventricular lift. The chest roentgenogram shows a cardiomegaly, a prominent pulmonary segment, and usually clear lung fields. Pulmonary function tests may show evidence of restrictive lung disease; however, the physiologic abnormalities are mild and out of proportion to the severity of the PH. The diagnosis of PH is established by cardiac catheterization showing elevated pulmonary artery pressure, normal capillary wedge pressure, and no evidence of intracardiac or extracardiac shunts. Pathologic examination of the lung demonstrates angiomatoid lesions involving muscular pulmonary arteries. There is a thickening of the media and subintima of the arterioles. Immunoglobulin and complement deposits are found in the walls of pulmonary arteries. Immunoglobulin eluted from the lung contains rheumatoid factor and antinuclear antibody including antibody to DNA activity. DNA antigen is also present in walls of blood vessels. These results suggest an immune complex deposition process as a mechanism in the pathogenesis of PH in SLE. The clinical course of PH in SLE is variable. Symptoms may be mild and the disease follows a stable and protracted course for several years. It can, however, develop a progressive course ending in death in a few years. The clinical response of SLE patients with PH to treatment with high doses of systemic corticosteroids is not consistent or predictable.     

Successful plasmapheresis in alveolar hemorrhage associated with systemic lupus erythematosus

The case of an 18-year-old Japanese man with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) complicated by alveolar hemorrhage is described. The patient presented with fever, butterfly rash, and polyarthralgia, and was diagnosed with SLE. He suddenly developed alveolar hemorrhage during steroid pulse therapy. Treatment with plasmapheresis was initiated, with prompt clearing of the chest radiograph. This experience suggests that the prompt initiation of plasmapheresis should be considered for SLE patients with life-threating alveolar hemorrhage resistant to conventional immunosuppressive therapies. Received: December 27, 2000 / Accepted: March 26, 2001     

Successful plasmapheresis in alveolar hemorrhage associated with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

The case of an 18-year-old Japanese man with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) complicated by alveolar hemorrhage is described. The patient presented with fever, butterfly rash, and polyarthralgia, and was diagnosed with SLE. He suddenly developed alveolar hemorrhage during steroid pulse therapy. Treatment with plasmapheresis was initiated, with prompt clearing of the chest radiograph. This experience suggests that the prompt initiation of plasmapheresis should be considered for SLE patients with life-threating alveolar hemorrhage resistant to conventional immunosuppressive therapies.     

Idiopathic portal hypertension associated with systemic lupus erythematosus

A case of idiopathic portal hypertension (IPH) associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is reported in a 38-year-old man who had been diagnosed with SLE and treated for 18 years. Esophageal varices, found in 1994 on endoscopic examination, had been followed up for 2 years. On July 16, 1996, he was admitted to Nagoya University Hospital because there was a high risk of bleeding from the esophageal varices due to severe thrombocytopenia. As partial splenic embolization had temporarily controlled the thrombocytopenia, splenectomy and devascularization of the stomach vessels were performed after endoscopic ligation of the esophageal varices. Histological specimens of wedge biopsied liver showed chronic inactive hepatitis without cirrhosis. The presence of anticardiolipin antibody, indicated by positivity for lupus anticoagulant, was suggestive of the presence of a common immunological mechanism in the etiology of SLE and IPH. Received: January 20, 1999 / Accepted: July 23, 1999     

Pulmonary arterial hypertension in systemic lupus erythematosus

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a serious complication of connective tissue diseases. The prevalence of PH in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) ranges from 0.5 to 17.5%, depending on whether echocardiography or right heart catheterization is used as the gold standard for diagnosis. The recent guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension include several potential causes of PH in SLE, including: a primary vasculopathy similar to idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH); left heart diseases; post-thromboembolic disease; hypoxia and fibrosis resulting from interstitial lung disease; and the infrequent SLE-associated pulmonary veno-occlusive disease. The pathogenesis of PAH associated with lupus is yet unclear, but likely includes a role for the genetic background, the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies, and some level of endothelial dysfunction. The evolution of SLE-associated PH is highly variable and difficult to elicit because the published series have used heterogeneous inclusion criteria. Optimal therapeutic management of PAH associated with lupus is unclear because no dedicated randomized controlled trial is yet available. Treatment usually includes arterial pulmonary vasodilators and immunosuppressive agents when the patients have NYHA functional class II, III or IV dyspnea.     

Therapy with intermittent pulse cyclophosphamide for pulmonary hypertension associated with systemic lupus erythematosus

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of intravenous cyclophosphamide (IVCYC) versus oral enalapril in mild or moderate pulmonary hypertension (PH) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Thirty-four patients with SLE who had systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) > 30 mmHg by Doppler echocardiography were randomized to receive IVCYC (0.5 g/mt2 body surface area, monthly), or oral enalapril (10 mg/day) for six months. The primary outcome was the significant decrease in SPAP. An additional outcome measure included the improvement in the heart functional class (NYHA). Sixteen patients received cyclophosphamide and 18 enalapril. IVCYC decreased the median values of SPAP from 41 to 28 mmHg (P < 0.001), and enalapril from 35 to 27 mmHg (P = 0.02). IVCYC reduced more than twice as much SPAP than enalapril (P = 0.04). In those patients with SPAP > or = 35 mmHg, cyclophosphamide decreased from 43 to 27 mmHg (P = 0.003), but enalapril was not effective (P = 0.14). The NYHA functional class improved only in those with cyclophosphamide (P = 0.021). Also IVCYC had a higher frequency of side effects including infections (RR = 1.6; 95% CI, 1.001-2.47), and gastrointestinal side effects (RR = 14.6; 95% CI, 2.15-99.68). We concluded that IVCYC was effective in mild and moderate PH associated with SLE. Further research is needed to evaluate its long-term efficacy.