Severe pulmonary arterial hypertension and massive ascites in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and secondary Sjogren’s syndrome

Abstract

Background

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), is a rare manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), characterized by pulmonary arterial remodeling leading to right ventricular failure and death. To date, optimal management of SLE-associated PAH should be clarified, especially regarding the respective places of immunosuppressants and PAH vasodilator treatments.

Case report

We report the case of a 48-year-old woman with SLE and secondary Sjogren syndrome, associated with severe PAH and lupus peritonitis with massive ascites, who showed a remarkable response, both for SLE flare and PAH, to a treatment combining immunosuppressants and pulmonary arterial vasodilator treatment.

Conclusion

This observation highlights the interest of combining immunosuppressive therapy in SLE-PAH, whose modalities in association with PAH treatments should be clarified.

Keywords

Systemic lupus erythematosus pulmonary arterial hypertension lupus peritonitis ascites

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