Acute respiratory failure as primary manifestation of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies-associated vasculitis.
Τίτλος | Acute respiratory failure as primary manifestation of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies-associated vasculitis. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2014 |
Authors | Sourla, E., Bagalas V., Tsioulis H., Paspala A., Akritidou S., Pataka A., Fekete K., Kioumis I. P., Stanopoulos I., & Pitsiou G. |
Journal | Clin Pract |
Volume | 4 |
Issue | 2 |
Pagination | 653 |
Date Published | 2014 Jun 18 |
ISSN | 2039-7275 |
Abstract | The systemic vasculitides are multifocal diseases characterized by the presence of blood vessel inflammation in multiple organ systems. Their clinical presentation is variable extending from self-limited illness to critical complications including diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and glomerulonephritis. Alveolar hemorrhage is a life-threatening manifestation of pulmonary vasculitis that can rapidly progress into acute respiratory failure requiring ventilatory support. We present the case of a 74-year-old patient admitted to the Intensive Care Unit with severe hypoxic respiratory failure and diffuse alveolar infiltrates in chest imaging that was later diagnosed as antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies-associated vasculitis. The report highlights the importance of differentiate between alveolar hemorrhage and acute respiratory distress syndrome of other etiology because alveolar hemorrhage is reversible with prompt initiation of treatment. |
DOI | 10.4081/cp.2014.653 |
Alternate Journal | Clin Pract |
PubMed ID | 25332763 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC4202185 |