Acute massive pulmonary hemorrhage in systemic lupus erythematosus
Mintz, G.; Galindo, L.F.; Fernández-Diez, J.; Jiménez, F.J.; Robles-Saavedra, E.; Enríquez-Casillas, R.D.
Journal of Rheumatology 5(1): 39-50
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0315-162X PMID: 147942 Document Number: 131311
Acute massive pulmonary hemorrhage was described as part of the clinical picture of SLE . Seven patients had sudden onset of high fever, dyspnea, tachycardia and cough with blood-tinged sputum that within hours progressed to massive hemoptysis and death. There were no vasculitis or other inflammatory lung changes found at autopsy. Only 1 of the 7 reported cases survived when treated with 2 g of i.v. hdrocortisone daily. The mechanism of this pulmonary bleeding is unknown but seems to be an immune complex mediated phenomenon.