Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease associated with the production of various autoantibodies and involvement of multiple organs. We report that steroid therapy for the SLE might play a major role in accelerating atherosclerosis and the patient suffered an aortic dissection. A 53-year-old woman had been receiving steroid therapy for 10 years due to SLE. The patient had thoracoabdominal aortic dissection. Conservative therapy was commenced, but the diameter of the dissecting aneurysm was enlarged. Therefore, grafting for the thoracic descending aorta and the abdominal aorta was performed. The patient experienced no significant postoperative complications.
