Timely management of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus: case report

Authors

Keywords:

thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, systemic lupus erythematosus, intensive care unit, plasmapheresis, ADAMTS13 protein.

Abstract

Introduction: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura may occur in less than 2% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. This association implies an increase in mortality and a longer remission period.

Objective: We present the case of a Peruvian woman who developed this association, and complicating herself with septic shock.

Clinical case: A female patient, with a history of immunological thrombocytopenic purpura and systemic lupus erythematosus, comes to the emergency room due to generalized skin pallor, lower limb petechiae and hematuria. Subsequently, her state of health gets complicated with a septic shock and deterioration of the level of consciousness. For all of this, she was referred to a hospital of greater complexity and makes admission to an intensive care unit. Clinical and laboratory tests revealed findings compatible with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (severe anemia, platelet disease, schistositosis) and severe active systemic lupus erythematosus. Before being referred, she received pulses of methylprednisone and prednisone. When already in the intensive care unit, it was changed to ventilatory support andantibiotic treatment. With the presumptive diagnosis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, associated with severe active systemic lupus erythematosus, a timely treatment was initiated with plasmapheresis, corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide. The patient recovered platelet levels and optimal level of consciousness. She is currently going to controls.

Conclusions: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is a hematological emergency with high mortality in the absence of treatment. Its timely recognition, without dosing of ADAMTS13 protein, in this rare association with systemic lupus erythematosus is important in the good prognosis of the patient.

 

Author Biographies

Susy Bazán-Ruiz, Hospital Nacional Edgardo Rebagliati Martins. Lima, Perú.

Médico residente de hematología

Diego F. Pinto Ruiz, Sociedad Científica San Fernando, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Perú.

Estudiante de medicina

Mariella R. Huaman, Sociedad Científica San Fernando, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Perú.

Estudiante de medicina

William J Araujo-Banchon, Grupo de Investigación Continental, Universidad Continental. Lima, Perú.

Médico en ciencias en investigación epidemiológica

Published

2021-05-31

How to Cite

1.
Bazán-Ruiz S, Pinto Ruiz DF, Huaman MR, Araujo-Banchon WJ. Timely management of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus: case report. Rev Cubana Hematol Inmunol Hemoter [Internet]. 2021 May 31 [cited 2024 Dec. 12];37(2). Available from: https://revhematologia.sld.cu/index.php/hih/article/view/1235

Issue

Section

Presentaciones de casos

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