Abstract
Introduction: Primary Adrenal insufficiency is an uncommon complication of antiphospholipid syndrome, with an incidence of 0.4% [2]. It is often secondary to bilateral adrenal hemorrhage. We present a case of bilateral adrenal hemorrhage in a patient with APLS on anticoagulation with rivaroxaban. Case: 46-year-old m with a history of antiphospholipid syndrome, recently transitioned from warfarin to rivaroxaban for anticoagulation, who presented to the ED after a syncopal episode following a prior episode of abdominal pain with an unremarkable work-up. He subsequently developed severe fatigue, dizziness, headaches, nausea and 15 lbs weight loss. On presentation, the patient was hypotensive(72/45 mmHg) and tachycardic. Intravenous hydration was started with minimal response. Initial laboratory testing showed serum sodium of 121mmol/L, potassium of 5.5mmol/L and random cortisol of 0.8mcg/dL. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit where he was started on vasopressors and hydrocortisone 50 mg IV every 8 hours. A non-contrast CT of the abdomen and pelvis showed thickening of the adrenal glands with decreased attenuation. MRI of the abdomen showed hyper-intensity of the adrenal glands bilaterally (T1 images), without post-contrast enhancement suggestive of bilateral adrenal hemorrhage. His electrolytes normalized, and he was successfully discharged home on hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone replacement with outpatient follow-up. Discussion: Atraumatic bilateral adrenal hemorrhage is rare, but remains one of the most common endocrine-related complications of antiphospholipid syndrome (APLS). The venous anatomical configuration of the adrenal gland increases risk of thrombotic hemorrhagic infarction[1]. Patients with APLS are commonly anticoagulated to prevent thrombosis. The ideal anticoagulation regimen remains controversial. Only three other cases of spontaneous bilateral adrenal hemorrhage on patients with APLS using new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) were reported. The use of NOACs seem to increase the already-elevated risk of adrenal hemorrhage seen in patients with APLS.
References:
1. Aldaajani, H. et al. Bilateral adrenal hemorrhage in antiphospholipid syndrome: Anticoagulation for the treatment of hemorrhage. Saudi Med J. 2018; 39(8): 829-833.
2. Cervera R, Piette JC, Font J, Khamashta MA, Shoenfeld Y, Camps MT, et al. Antiphospholipid syndrome: Clinical and immunologic manifestations and patterns of disease expression in a cohort of 1,000 patients. Arthritis Rheum. 2002;46:1019-27.
Definitive Adrenal Insufficiency Due to Bilateral Adrenal Hemorrhage and Primary Antiphospholipid Syndrome
