Intermittent claudication and limb-threatening ischemia in systemic lupus erythematosus and in SLE-like disease: a report of two cases and review of the literature.

ABSTRACT

Intermittent claudication and limb-threatening ischemia caused by occlusion of large and medium-sized arteries are rare manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus. So far only eight documented cases have been reported, predominantly in young women. In this report two more patients are described. There is no common opinion concerning pathophysiologic mechanism, but immunologic endothelial damage and circulating antibodies to phospholipid probably play a role. The results of medical and surgical treatment are disappointing, and amputation becomes necessary in more than half of the patients.