Severe pulmonary arterial hypertension and massive ascites in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and secondary Sjogren’s syndrome

Abstract

Background Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), is a rare manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), characterized by pulmonary arterial remodeling leading to right ventricular failure and death. To date, optimal management of SLE-associated PAH should be clarified, especially regarding the respective places of immunosuppressants and PAH vasodilator treatments. Case report We report the case of a 48-year-old woman with SLE and secondary Sjogren syndrome, associated with severe PAH and lupus peritonitis with massive ascites, who showed a remarkable response, both for SLE flare and PAH, to a treatment combining immunosuppressants and pulmonary arterial vasodilator treatment. Conclusion This observation highlights the interest of combining immunosuppressive therapy in SLE-PAH, whose modalities in association with PAH treatments should be clarified.