Episode 211: Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis
Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) – Recognition and Management in the ED
Hosts:
Phoebe Draper, MD
Brian Gilberti, MD
https://media.blubrry.com/coreem/content.blubrry.com/coreem/GPA.mp3
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Tags: Rheumatology
Show Notes
Background
A vasculitis affecting small blood vessels causing inflammation and necrosis
Affects upper respiratory tract (sinusitis, otitis media, saddle nose deformity), lungs (nodules, alveolar hemorrhage), and kidneys (rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis)
Can lead to multi-organ failure, pulmonary hemorrhage, renal failure
Red Flag Symptoms:
Chronic sinus symptoms
Hemoptysis (especially bright red blood)
New pulmonary complaints
Renal dysfunction
Constitutional symptoms (fatigue, weight loss, fever)
Workup in the ED:
CBC, CMP for anemia and AKI
Urinalysis with microscopy (hematuria, RBC casts)
Chest imaging (CXR or CT for nodules, cavitary lesions)
ANCA testing (not immediately available but important diagnostically)
Management:
Stable patients: Outpatient workup, urgent rheumatology consult, prednisone 1 mg/kg/day
Unstable patients: High-dose IV steroids (methylprednisolone 1 g daily x3 days), consider plasma exchange, cyclophosphamide or rituximab initiation, ICU admission
Conditions that Mimic GPA:
Goodpasture syndrome (anti-GBM antibodies)
TB, fungal infections
Lung malignancy
Other vasculitides (EGPA, MPA, lupus)