Pulmonary hypertension in systemic lupus erythematosus: hemodynamics and effects of vasodilator therapy.
Authors:
Journal: Clinical cardiology
Publication Type: Case Reports
Date: 1980
DOI: 10.1002/clc.4960030608
ID: 7460402
Abstract
A case is reported of a 29-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who developed clinical manifestations of pulmonary hypertension at a time when other manifestations of SLE were quiescent. She had a restrictive ventilatory defect but clear lung fields on chest x ray. Cardiac catheterization revealed severe pulmonary hypertension. Calculated pulmonary vascular resistance fell slightly after administration of oxygen and during infusion of vasodilators. Symptomatic improvement and a modest increase in right ventricular ejection fraction, as measured by radionuclide ventriculography, were noted following 1 week of oral hydralazine therapy. Clinically significant pulmonary hypertension is a rare complication of SLE and the increased pulmonary vascular resistance may not be entirely fixed. Cardiac catheterization and radionuclide ventriculography may be useful in assessing response to medical therapy.
Chemical List
- Hydralazine