Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome: A Complex Diagnosis in the Setting of Lupus

This case report aims to highlight the importance of keeping catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) high on the list of differentials in patients with lupus who present with digital ischemia and to understand the workup and treatment of the disease. Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome is a life-threatening variant of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), and it is distinguished on the APS spectrum by its increased intensity and extent of thrombotic outcomes. Less than 1% of patients with APS develop CAPS and the demographic of patients affected are primarily females, 37 ± 14 years old, and have underlying primary APS or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This is the case of a young female with lupus and end-stage renal disease secondary to lupus nephritis who presented to the emergency department for shortness of breath and bilateral leg swelling that eventually progressed to catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome. She developed pulmonary embolisms, axillary hematoma, and bilateral lower extremity digital gangrene. The treatment course consisted of anticoagulation, steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), above-knee amputation, and eventually rituximab. Diagnosis and treatment of digital ischemia can be complex, especially, in the setting of lupus where the differential diagnosis is broad. A high index of suspicion for CAPS is essential for early diagnosis and treatment.

Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome: A Rare Cause of Acute Heart Failure

Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) is a rare variant of antiphospholipid syndrome (APLS). CAPS is a syndrome characterized by microvascular thrombosis leading to multi-organ failure, including acute heart failure. Diagnosis is challenging, and disease progression is rapid. Treatment includes triple therapy with anticoagulation, glucocorticoids, and plasma exchange. We present a case of a patient with CAPS who developed de novo acute heart failure. With treatment, the patient's multi-organ failure improved, including cardiac function. It is our goal to present this case in order to facilitate greater diagnostic suspicion and the early treatment of CAPS to reduce morbidity and mortality.

A Rare Rheumatologic Case of Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome

A very rare and severe disease catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome is defined by small vessel occlusions resulting in multi-organ involvement in the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies. This case report presents a case of catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome in a young female without past medical history.

Penile Glans Necrosis Associated With Antiphospholipid Syndrome: A Rare Complication

Penile glans necrosis is a rare clinical condition caused by trauma, diabetes mellitus, adverse effect of vasoconstrictive solutions, and circumcision. Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is categorized as an autoimmune disease with the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies that results in an increased risk of vascular thrombosis and obstetrical complications. In this article, we report a rare case of a 20-year-old boy with penile glans necrosis due to penile vascular thrombosis following catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) which we successfully treated at People's Hospital 115.

A Difficult and Rare Case of Warfarin Refractory Antiphospholipid Syndrome Presenting With Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome Complicated by Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is managed with warfarin for secondary prophylaxis in patients who have had a thrombotic event in the past. Warfarin has been deemed superior to novel oral anticoagulants in preventing venous and arterial thrombosis in conjunction with aspirin. The catastrophic variant of APS (CAPS) is very rarely reported, especially in those who have been on a therapeutic dose of warfarin therapy. We present a rare case of CAPS in a patient with a history of APS who had been on a therapeutic dose of warfarin along with aspirin therapy. The patient is a 70-year-old male with APS diagnosed 30 years prior when he presented with a pulmonary embolism; aspirin was added to warfarin two years ago when he had a cerebrovascular accident (CVA). He presented to the hospital with acute onset right-sided weakness and aphasia, left lower extremity pain. He had ischemic CVA, acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT), acute renal failure with a creatinine of 2.8, anemia with hemoglobin of 3.8, gastrointestinal bleed (GIB) on EGD, with INR of 3.48 cardiolipin IgM of >140g/L. He was transfused packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, and provided Vit K. Subsequently, he had a cardiac arrest and was intubated and placed on a mechanical ventilator. Given simultaneous multiorgan involvement, acute arterial and venous thrombosis, the patient was diagnosed with CAPS. The patient was started on high-dose dexamethasone, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and underwent plasma exchange with significant improvement in symptoms, laboratory parameters; and was extubated with near normalization of his speech and motor deficits. He was discharged on enoxaparin and prednisone with sustained clinical improvement two months following discharge. This patient was on the recommended treatment for APS. However, he had presented with a CAPS. This is the first reported case of warfarin refractory CAPS. This case highlights that there might be a subgroup of the population in whom warfarin is not an effective form of treatment modality for an unknown cause, and in fact, it could potently expose a patient to the adverse events related to warfarin therapy as it did in our patient who had significant GIB. This case also highlights the uncommon scenario of spontaneous CAPS with no inciting event as previously reported in the literature, such as infection, recent surgeries, or trauma.

The hyperferritinemic syndrome: macrophage activation syndrome, Still's disease, septic shock and catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome

BACKGROUND

Over the last few years, accumulating data have implicated a role for ferritin as a signaling molecule and direct mediator of the immune system. Hyperferritinemia is associated with a multitude of clinical conditions and with worse prognosis in critically ill patients.

DISCUSSION

There are four uncommon medical conditions characterized by high levels of ferritin, namely the macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), adult onset Still's disease (AOSD), catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (cAPS) and septic shock, that share a similar clinical and laboratory features, and also respond to similar treatments, suggesting a common pathogenic mechanism. Ferritin is known to be a pro-inflammatory mediator inducing expression of pro-inflammatory molecules, yet it has opposing actions as a pro-inflammatory and as an immunosuppressant. We propose that the exceptionally high ferritin levels observed in these uncommon clinical conditions are not just the product of the inflammation but rather may contribute to the development of a cytokine storm.

SUMMARY

Here we review and compare four clinical conditions and the role of ferritin as an immunomodulator. We would like to propose including these four conditions under a common syndrome entity termed "Hyperferritinemic Syndrome".