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Case Reports
. 2023 May 8;13(3):79-82.
doi: 10.55729/2000-9666.1175. eCollection 2023.

A Rare Case of Refractory Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome Successfully Treated With Rituximab and Plasma Exchange

Ayrton Bangolo  1 , Sowmya Sagireddy  1 , Sarah Mahamadeen  1 , Felicia Hasta  1 , Sadhu A Reddy  1 , Afshan Naz  1 , Ravishankar Ranganatha  1 , Cleveland Ricketts  1 , Padmavathi Muppalla  1 , Swathi Veliginti  1 , Georgemar Arana  1 , Dily T Sathyarajan  1 , Sachin Singh  1 , Tanvi Shetty  1 , Kshitij Bhardwaj  1 , Sayed Hashemy  1 , Roberto L Duran  1 , Sung H Kim  1 , Candice M Hipolito  1 , Kibo Yoon  1 , Vrusha Patel  1 , Aseel Alshimari  1 , Pugazhendi Inban  1 , Saaniya Yasmeen  1 , Simcha Weissman  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

A Rare Case of Refractory Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome Successfully Treated With Rituximab and Plasma Exchange

Ayrton Bangolo et al. J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect. .

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.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest Not applicable.

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