A Rare Case of Recurrent Arterial Thrombosis Secondary to Iron Deficiency Anemia

Cureus. 2022 Feb 11;14(2):e22117. doi: 10.7759/cureus.22117. eCollection 2022 Feb.

Abstract

Iron deficiency anemia is the leading cause of anemia all over the world. Iron deficiency is known to cause reactive thrombocytosis. However, arterial thrombosis secondary to reactive thrombocytosis is a rare entity. In this article, we present a case of a 37-year-old female with recurrent arterial thrombosis due to severe thrombocytosis caused by iron deficiency anemia. The patient developed spleen and kidney infractions, as well as abdominal aortic thrombosis. She was subsequently treated with iron and aspirin with an improvement of the anemia and thrombocytosis, with no further thrombotic complications. Arterial thrombosis is a very serious condition as the thrombus can embolize to carotid arteries leading to stroke or to peripheral blood vessels causing peripheral ischemia and gangrene. Iron deficiency anemia is a reversible cause of thrombocytosis that can be treated very easily to avoid thrombotic complications.

Keywords: arterial thrombosis; iron deficiency anemia (ida); reactive thrombocytosis; thrombotic complications; venous thrombosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports