Severe hypertension associated with multiple intrarenal microaneurysms in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid antibodies

A 26-year-old Japanese woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) developed severe hypertension and an increased active renin concentration (ARC), ischemic colitis, and splenic infarction. She had antiphospholipid antibodies (APA), multiple intrarenal microaneurysms, and multiple stenoses of the mesenteric arteries. Combination therapy with antihypertensive agents, aspirin, warfarin, and corticosteroids (30mg daily) controlled her abdominal symptoms and hypertension. Multiple intrarenal microaneurysms in SLE with APA may be the cause of severe hypertension and elevated serum ARC.