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Program

Internal Medicine

Training Level

Resident PGY 1

Institution

Henry Ford Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is a thrombotic microangiopathy caused by severely reduced activity of the von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease ADAMTS13. It is considered a medical emergency and could be fatal if appropriate medical management if not initiated in time. Rarely, it can present as an acute coronary syndrome.

Case presentation: We present a case of an 80-year-old female with a past medical history of hypertension and irritable bowel syndrome who presented to the emergency department with chest pain. Her chest pain was centrally located, exertional and relieved by sublingual nitroglycerin. The patient also reported having dizziness, generalized fatigue and headache. On arrival, she was noted to be hypertensive but otherwise hemodynamically stable. Physical examination was unremarkable. Laboratory evaluation revealed elevated high sensitivity troponin with an initial value of 434 ng/L (reference range/L) and peaking at 817 ng/L, elevated creatinine at 1.61 mg/dL (reference range

Discussion: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is described by the classic pentad of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, renal involvement, central nervous system manifestations and fever. Our patient presented with chest pain and neurological symptoms and was found to have anemia, thrombocytopenia and elevated creatinine. Those findings with elevated troponin and EKG changes should raise the suspicion of TTP-related acute coronary syndrome. The exact mechanism of how TTP can cause acute coronary syndrome is not well understood, especially that this has been rarely described but is thought to be secondary to thrombosis of the small vessels supplying the myocardium. Given its rarity, there is no consensus regarding the exact management strategy but emergent plasmapheresis should be started to improve blood counts and improve clinical symptoms. Coronary angiopathy should be deferred until blood counts improve and as it may exacerbate TTP. For our patient, immediate initiation of plasmapheresis and steroids corrected her laboratory abnormalities and relieved her symptoms.

Conclusion: This case represents a rare disease process that required plasmapheresis and immunosuppressives.

Presentation Date

5-2020

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Presenting as an Acute Coronary Syndrome

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