SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT WITH IMMUNOSUPPRESSION, ANTICOAGULATION AND VASODILATOR THERAPY OF PULMONARY-HYPERTENSION IN SLE ASSOCIATED WITH SECONDARY ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID SYNDROME

Severe pulmonary hypertension (PHT) occurring in patients with systemi c lupus erythematosus (SLE) is uncommon. Different modalities have bee n tried in the treatment for this condition but have not been effectiv e because of progressive increase of pulmonary resistance over time. O ur patient with SLE and PHT with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), a co ndition which has previously never been described, responded rapidly t o combination treatment with immunosuppression, anticoagulation and va sodilator therapy.