Myeloperoxidase antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA) associated vasculitis is an autoimmune disease usually with severe multiple dysfunction syndrome, especially prominent acute renal failure. A 65-year-old woman was admitted with progressive dyspnoea for six months and fever, sputum with blood, pain of the lower extremities and intermittent claudication for two days, indicating multiple organ involvement (respiratory system, blood vessels). The renal involvement was relatively mild, presenting with microscopic haematuria. The chest computed tomography demonstrated multiple pulmonary embolisms. Ultrasound and computed tomography angiography for the lower extremity vessels showed venous and arterial thrombosis. Exclusion of other diseases that can cause multiple organ damage and thrombosis, the positive perinuclear ANCA and MPO-ANCA strongly support the diagnosis of MPO-ANAC-associated vasculitis. The patient's physical condition has been greatly improved by treatment with corticosteroids and anticoagulation.
Keywords: antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis; arterial embolism; myeloperoxidase; pulmonary embolism.