Thrombotic microangiopathic hemolytic anemia in systemic lupus erythematosus associated with antiphospholipid antibodies: usefulness of monitoring coagulation-fibrinolysis markers
Y. Asanuma1, Y. Suzuki2, Y. Yasumuro3, Y. Ichikawa2
(1) Institute of Medical Science, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, 2-16-1 Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki 216-8512, Japan Tel. +81-44-977-8111(ext 4267); Fax +81-44-977-4061 e-mail: fwkp2384@mb.infoweb.ne.jp
(2)Department of Internal Medicine, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
(3)Clinical Laboratory, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
Abstract We report on a 24-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus anticoagulant who developed chronic thrombotic microangiopathic hemolytic anemia. The patient responded well to a combination of plasma exchange and anticoagulant therapy. Changes in the molecular markers for coagulation and fibrinolysis corresponded with the disease activity. We suggest that thrombotic microangiopathic hemolytic anemia should be suspected when anemia and thrombocytopenia of unknown etiologies occur in systemic lupus erythematosus. In such cases, the evaluation of molecular markers for coagulation and fibrinolysis might be helpful both for diagnosis and for assessing the response to therapy.
Key words
Key words Hemolytic anemia ・ Systemic lupus erythematosus ・ Antiphospholipid antibody ・ Plasma exchange ・ Molecular markers for coagulation and fibrinolysis
