ACUTE MASSIVE PULMONARY HEMORRHAGE IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS

Abstract

Acute massive pulmonary hemorrhage was described as part of the clinical picture of SLE [systemic lupus erythematosus]. Seven patients had sudden onset of high fever, dyspnea, tachycardia and cough with blood-tinged sputum that within hours progressed to massive hemoptysis and death. There were no vasculitis or other inflammatory lung changes found at autopsy. Only 1 of the 7 reported cases survived when treated with 2 g of i.v. hdrocortisone daily. The mechanism of this pulmonary bleeding is unknown but seems to be an immune complex mediated phenomenon.