A Rare Case of Refractory Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome Successfully Treated With Rituximab and Plasma Exchange
- PMID: 37877050
- PMCID: PMC10593160
- DOI: 10.55729/2000-9666.1175
A Rare Case of Refractory Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome Successfully Treated With Rituximab and Plasma Exchange
Abstract
A small subset of patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) may develop widespread thrombotic disease with organ damage, referred to as catastrophic APS (CAPS) that is associated with a high mortality. Medical therapy typically involves a combination of anticoagulation, systemic glucocorticoids, plasmapheresis, and intravenous immune globulin (IVIG). There is currently no consensus for the management of refractory cases of CAPS. However, monoclonal antibodies such as rituximab and eculizumab have shown some benefits. Herein, we present a 29-year-old female with previous pulmonary embolism who presented with necrotic left toes and was eventually diagnosed with refractory CAPS, successfully treated with Plasmapheresis and Rituximab. With this case report, we hope to encourage the usage of Rituximab in the management of CAPS.
© 2023 Greater Baltimore Medical Center.
Conflict of interest statement
Conflict of interest Not applicable.
References
-
- Erkan D, Cervera R, Asherson RA. Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome: where do we stand? Arthritis Rheum. 2003;48(12):3320–3327. - PubMed
-
- Espinosa G, Santos E, Cervera R, et al. Adrenal involvement in the antiphospholipid syndrome: clinical and immunologic characteristics of 86 patients. Medicine (Baltim) 2003;82(2):106–118. - PubMed
-
- Rubenstein E, Arkfeld DG, Metyas S, Shinada S, Ehresmann S, Liebman HA. Rituximab treatment for resistant antiphospholipid syndrome. J Rheumatol. 2006;33(2):355–357. - PubMed
-
- Cervera R, Piette JC, Font J, et al. Antiphospholipid syndrome: clinical and immunologic manifestations and patterns of disease expression in a cohort of 1,000 patients. Arthritis Rheum. 2002;46(4):1019–1027. - PubMed
Publication types
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Miscellaneous