Systemic lupus erythematosus presenting as unprovoked brachio-cephalic vein thrombosis: A case report

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with multisystem involvement, and majorly affects the female population of the childbearing age. Vascular thrombosis is a known complication in the natural disease course, but the thrombotic event as the initial presentation of SLE is rarely depicted, especially for the thoracic vasculature. Herein, we are narrating a case of a 38-year-old gentleman, who previously suffered from myocardial infarction, due to left coronary artery occlusion and this time presented with left brachiocephalic vein thrombosis. On evaluation, SLE was diagnosed, without antiphospholipid syndrome, and a standard treatment of anticoagulant with hydroxychloroquine was prescribed for this. This report illustrates that an unusual vascular location can be involved in SLE and reemphasizes that a thorough immunological work-up should be performed promptly in the absence of any identified etiology.

Keywords

• anti-phospholipid syndrome
• brachiocephalic vein thrombosis
• coronary artery occlusion
• systemic lupus erythematosus
• venous thrombosis