Atherothrombosis in 2 vascular territories in a young woman: importance of thrombophilia testing

Clin Appl Thromb Hemost. 2011 Feb;17(1):108-13. doi: 10.1177/1076029609357740. Epub 2010 May 11.

Abstract

The diagnosis and management of complex and multiple inherited thrombophilias is still a challenge for the clinicians involved in this field, clinical events being the result of the interaction between genes, environmental or other acquired factors, and age. Moreover, various clinical manifestations as regards severity or type of event (venous or arterial thrombotic event, obstetrical complications) are cited in these patients. We present the case of a 20-year-old woman, with a 2-month history of third-generation contraceptive use and with recently diagnosed hypercholesterolemia, who presented ischemic events in 2 arterial territories: acute left lower limb ischemia and silent myocardial infarction. Screening tests for thrombophilia, including genetic testing, showed moderate hyperhomocysteinemia and 2 inherited thrombophilic defects. Invasive investigation of the coronary arteries showed the presence of advanced atherosclerotic disease. Management of this complex thrombophilia includes lifetime oral anticoagulation as well as a homocysteine-lowering strategy comprising lifestyle modification and group B (folic acid, B(6), B(12)) vitamin supplementing.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anticoagulants / administration & dosage*
  • Contraceptives, Oral / administration & dosage
  • Coronary Artery Disease / complications*
  • Coronary Artery Disease / diagnosis*
  • Coronary Artery Disease / drug therapy
  • Coronary Artery Disease / genetics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypercholesterolemia / complications
  • Hypercholesterolemia / diagnosis
  • Hypercholesterolemia / genetics
  • Hyperhomocysteinemia / diagnosis
  • Hyperhomocysteinemia / drug therapy
  • Hyperhomocysteinemia / etiology
  • Hyperhomocysteinemia / genetics
  • Ischemia / diagnosis
  • Ischemia / etiology
  • Ischemia / genetics
  • Lower Extremity / blood supply
  • Myocardial Infarction / diagnosis
  • Myocardial Infarction / drug therapy
  • Myocardial Infarction / etiology
  • Myocardial Infarction / genetics
  • Thrombophilia / complications*
  • Thrombophilia / diagnosis*
  • Thrombophilia / drug therapy
  • Thrombophilia / genetics
  • Thrombosis / diagnosis*
  • Thrombosis / drug therapy
  • Thrombosis / etiology*
  • Thrombosis / genetics
  • Vitamin B Complex / administration & dosage*

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Contraceptives, Oral
  • Vitamin B Complex