Dilated Cardiomyopathy Due to Thrombotic Microangiopathy as the only Manifestation of Antiphospholipid Syndrome: A Case Report

Abstract

Dilated cardiomyopathy due to thrombotic microangiopathy has been rarely reported as a clinical manifestation of antiphopspholipid syndrome (APS). We describe the case of a 39-year-old woman affected by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and positive antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) who presented with orthopnea and peripheral oedema. Diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy due to myocardial thrombotic microangiopathy was made and treatment with anticoagulants prevented the worsening of the clinical condition. Interestingly, at variance with other cases, our patient showed no extracardiac signs of APS. The review of the current literature has confirmed that dilated cardiomyopathy due to thrombotic microangiopathy is a rare manifestation of APS.