Pulmonary hypertension in systemic lupus erythematosus.

The occurrence of pulmonary hypertension in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been rarely reported. To date only 18 well documented cases of SLE with pulmonary hypertension have been published. We review the literature on pulmonary hypertension in SLE, and add the case of a young woman with a recent onset of both SLE and pulmonary hypertension. Hemodynamic studies were carried out before and during treatment with nifedipine and hydralazine alone and in combination. Despite improvement in pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary pressures were unaffected by the drugs, although our patient had symptomatic relief.