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Complete recovery from renal infarcts in a patient with mixed connective tissue disease
S Perinbasekar1, K Chawla, F Rosner
1Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai Services, Queens Hospital Center, Jamaica, USA.
Insights
A woman with mixed connective tissue disease experienced kidney problems, including recurrent renal infarcts. Low-dose aspirin therapy successfully resolved these renal lesions and restored normal kidney function.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Mixed connective tissue disease (MCD) is an autoimmune disorder.
- MCD can affect multiple organ systems, including the kidneys.
- Renal involvement in MCD can manifest as various pathologies, including infarction.
Observation:
- A 66-year-old woman with diagnosed MCD presented with recurrent renal infarcts.
- The patient also exhibited renal insufficiency.
- Serum anticardiolipin antibodies were only mildly elevated, posing a diagnostic challenge.
Findings:
- Treatment with low-dose aspirin was initiated for the patient.
- Following aspirin therapy, the observed renal lesions showed complete resolution.
- The patient's renal function normalized within a three-week period.
Implications:
- This case highlights a potential therapeutic role for low-dose aspirin in managing renal complications of MCD.
- It suggests that even mild elevations in anticardiolipin antibodies in the context of MCD may warrant consideration for anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms and efficacy of aspirin in preventing renal infarcts in MCD patients.
Abstract:
We report the case of a 66-year-old woman with mixed connective tissue disease (MCD) who had recurrent renal infarcts and renal insufficiency with only mildly increased serum anticardiolipin antibodies. After low-dose aspirin therapy, the renal lesions resolved, and renal function returned to normal within 3 weeks.