A "silent" course of normotensive scleroderma renal crisis: case report and review of the literature

Rheumatol Int. 2009 Aug;29(10):1223-9. doi: 10.1007/s00296-008-0807-1. Epub 2008 Dec 2.

Abstract

Scleroderma renal crisis (SRC) is a complication of systemic sclerosis characterized by the sudden onset of accelerated arterial hypertension, followed by progressive renal failure. Rarely, patients with SRC may be normotensive on presentation. These patients have poorer prognosis and higher mortality rates than those with hypertensive SRC. This is partly explained by the insidious course of normotensive SRC leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Normotensive patients also seem to be less responsive to current treatment modalities. Since available data on etiology, pathogenesis, and risk factors of the disease are inadequate, no effective therapy has been established to date. We report a patient with diffuse cutaneous scleroderma who developed SRC during his hospitalization. The patient remained normotensive and had an insidious course until oliguria and signs of hypervolemia occurred. Etiology, pathogenesis, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment modalities and prognosis of normotensive SRC are also discussed through previously published reports.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Kidney Injury / diagnosis*
  • Acute Kidney Injury / etiology
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Blood Pressure
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Renal / diagnosis*
  • Hypertension, Renal / etiology
  • Hypertension, Renal / therapy
  • Length of Stay
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Discharge
  • Renal Dialysis
  • Scleroderma, Diffuse / complications
  • Scleroderma, Diffuse / diagnosis*
  • Scleroderma, Diffuse / pathology
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / complications
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / diagnosis*

Substances

  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors