Acute coronary thrombosis and multiple coronary aneurysms in a 22-year-old man with the human immunodeficiency virus

Tex Heart Inst J. 2014 Apr 1;41(2):208-11. doi: 10.14503/THIJ-13-3160. eCollection 2014 Apr.

Abstract

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can cause diverse cardiovascular complications. In HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy, the prevalence of myocardial infarction has steadily increased over the years. Young patients who are naïve to antiretroviral therapy and who experience coronary events are not well represented in the medical literature. We describe the case of a 22-year-old man, infected with HIV for 4 years and never treated with antiretroviral therapy, who emergently presented with a non-ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. Coronary angiograms revealed thrombosis and multiple coronary artery aneurysms; however, no areas of atherosclerotic stenosis were apparent. He was successfully treated with coronary stenting, antiplatelet therapy, and anticoagulation. Nine months after the initial presentation, he exhibited excellent exercise capacity, and no ischemia was evident. We discuss the various therapeutic approaches in this case.

Keywords: Anticholesteremic agents/therapeutic use; HIV infections/complications; anticoagulants/therapeutic use; cardiovascular diseases/diagnosis/etiology/therapy; coronary aneurysm/diagnosis/drug therapy/epidemiology/etiology; risk factors; treatment outcome; vasculitis/physiopathology/virology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary* / instrumentation
  • Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary* / methods
  • Anticoagulants / administration & dosage
  • Aspirin / administration & dosage*
  • Clopidogrel
  • Coronary Aneurysm* / diagnosis
  • Coronary Aneurysm* / etiology
  • Coronary Aneurysm* / physiopathology
  • Coronary Angiography / methods
  • Coronary Thrombosis* / diagnosis
  • Coronary Thrombosis* / etiology
  • Coronary Thrombosis* / physiopathology
  • Electrocardiography
  • HIV / pathogenicity
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Myocardial Infarction / diagnosis
  • Myocardial Infarction / etiology
  • Myocardial Infarction / physiopathology
  • Myocardial Infarction / therapy
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Stents*
  • Ticlopidine / administration & dosage
  • Ticlopidine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
  • Clopidogrel
  • Ticlopidine
  • Aspirin