Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome Presenting with Pulmonary Embolism

Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) is a recently-diagnosed syndrome presenting with arterial and venous thrombosis, recurrent miscarriages and thrombocytopenia in the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies.A 16- year-old man referred due to right sided chest pain, dyspnea and cyanosis of two fingers presented for 2 months. After a complete workup, diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism was confirmed through clinical examination, spiral chest CT-scan and lower limb Doppler sonography.He had positive anticardiolipin antibody, lupus anticoagulant, ANA and anti dsDNA. Based on these findings, diagnosis of APS (probably secondary to SLE) was made. Symptoms were improved by anticoagulant, prednisolone and chloroquine therapy. In a conclusion, pulmonary embolism may be the first presentation of APS, especially in young adults.