Rare association of antiphospholipid syndrome and Takayasu arteritis

Abstract

The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is characterized by obstetric and thrombotic complications in the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies. It can happen in an isolated way or in association with diffuse connective tissue diseases, mainly systemic lupus erythematosus. The association of APS with Takayasu arteritis (TA) is rarely described in the literature. We described a case of primary APS in a female patient who developed obstruction in large-size arteries, in spite of the use of oral anticoagulant, and increase of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, suggesting TA. The favorable response to prednisone treatment and later to infliximab reinforced the diagnosis of TA. The present report illustrates the existence of APS associated to TA, whose recognition is very important once the therapeutic strategy is radically different.

Abdominal Pain, Flank Pain, Blurry Vision, and Lower Extremity Weakness in a 16‐Year‐Old Female

“…The nonspecific symptoms of this patient could have been the manifestation of this vasculitis (10,11). Furthermore, Takayasu arteritis has been described to be associated with aPL, with and without clinical thrombosis (12)(13)(14)(15). In our patient, however, physical examination failed to reveal any cardinal signs of Takayasu arteritis such as claudication, vascular bruits, or varying BP between extremities.…”

Vasculitis in Antiphospholipid Syndrome

“…93 There is debate in the literature as to the significance of aortic occlusive disease in primary APS 94,95 ; whether this lesion is thrombotic or inflammatory is not readily distinguishable with conventional imaging, and tissue is rarely accessible. 96 However, in most case reports patients were successfully treated with corticosteroids, suggesting an inflammatory etiology.…”

Novel Strategy for the Treatment of Refractory Vasculitis Syndrome

“…Thereafter, case reports suggesting the usefulness of infliximab for the treatment of refractory Takayasu disease have appeared from various countries including Japan. [15][16][17][18][19] Evaluation by large-scale comparative controlled studies is necessary in the future.…”