An Adult Case of Pulmonary Embolism during Treatment for Anaphylactoid Purpura

Abstract

A 61-year-old woman was clinically diagnosed with anaphylactoid purpura, and was treated with leg rest, high-dose corticosteroid and Factor XIII concentrate. Although purpura almost disappeared, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism were found during the course. As pulmonary embolism, one of the major complications of deep vein thrombosis, can be causative factor of sudden death, she was immediately and successfully treated with a temporary inferior vena cava filter and anticoagulant therapy. This case had several risk factors for deep vein thrombosis, such as obesity, leg rest, corticosteroid therapy and diabetes mellitus, some of which might have been responsible for thrombus formation.