SEVERE POSTPARTUM PULMONARY, CARDIAC, AND RENAL SYNDROME-ASSOCIATED WITH ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID ANTIBODIES

Background: The antiphospholipid antibody syndrome has been associated with thromboembolic events, thrombocytopenia, fetal death, fetal grow th retardation, and early-onset severe preeclampsia. Case: A postpartu m woman developed fever, pulmonary infiltrates, cardiac conduction def ects, and renal insufficiency following severe preeclampsia. She teste d positive for lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibody, and r esponded to steroid therapy and plasmapheresis. Conclusion: The postpa rtum multi-system involvement suggests that a variety of clinical pres entations may be associated with antiphospholipid antibodies. Treatmen t with plasmapheresis or corticosteroids may be of value in similar ca ses.