Open AccessPulmonary hypertension in systemic lupus erythematosus: Hemodynamics and effects of vasodilator therapy
Author(s) -
Santini D.,
Fox D.,
Kloner R. A.,
Konstam M.,
Rude R. E.,
Lorell B. H.
Publication year - 1980
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.4960030608
Subject(s) - medicine , vascular resistance , pulmonary hypertension , hydralazine , radionuclide ventriculography , cardiac catheterization , cardiology , cardiac output , complication , vasodilation , lupus erythematosus , hemodynamics , heart catheterization , pulmonary edema , ejection fraction , lung , anesthesia , heart failure , blood pressure , antibody , immunology
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.