Severe Exacerbations of Systemic Capillary Leak Syndrome After COVID-19 Vaccination: A Case Series

• Authors: Meghan Matheny, NIAID; Noble Maleque, Emory University; Natalie Channell, Maine Medical Center, Portland; Robin A Eisch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda; Sara Auld, Emory University; Aleena Banerji, Massachusetts General Hospital; Kirk M Druey, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda
• Journal Title: ANNALS OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
• Volume: Volume 174, Number 10
• Publisher: AMER COLL PHYSICIANS | 2021-10-01, Pages 1476-+
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.7326/L21-0250
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery; Health Sciences, Public Health
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Medicine, General & Internal; General & Internal Medicine

Abstract

Background: Flares of systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS) release plasma into peripheral tissues, which typically leads to hypotensive shock and multiple organ dysfunction (1). Anasarca and compartment syndromes may develop as a result of excessive intravenous (IV) fluid administration (2). Between episodes, patients are typically asymptomatic. The diagnosis of SCLS is based on characteristic clinical findings that include hypotension, hemoconcentration, and hypoalbuminemia. Prophylaxis with IV immunoglobulin (IVIG) is disease sparing and improves survival (3).