Acute Myocardial Infarction in an Adolescent Receiving Anagrelide for Essential Thrombocythemia with Underlying Persistent Coronary Endothelial Dysfunction

Int Heart J. 2020 Nov 28;61(6):1289-1293. doi: 10.1536/ihj.20-377. Epub 2020 Nov 13.

Abstract

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is a Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative disorder that is characterized by the overproduction of platelets and a marked increase in the numbers of mature megakaryocytes present in the bone marrow. Thrombohemorrhagic disorders are major morbidities of ET, especially those with mutations in the gene encoding Janus kinase 2 (JAK2). In this study, we report the case of an 18-year-old patient with ET carrying JAK2 mutation who developed acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) 5 months after a commencement of anagrelide. Coronary endothelial dysfunction confirmed by positive acetylcholine provocation test lasted a year after the occurrence of STEMI. Furthermore, intracoronary imaging using optical coherence tomography demonstrated non-atheromatous intimal fibrosis possibly due to chronic endothelial damage. The coronary pathologies reflected chronic change potentially associated with properties of ET and JAK2 mutation in addition to hyperviscosity. These observations suggest that the side effect of anagrelide in our patient was considered causative, while underlying chronic endothelial dysfunction and adverse endothelial remodeling may be predisposing factors to his fatal cardiovascular events.

Keywords: Acute coronary syndrome; Oncocardiology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholine
  • Adolescent
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Coronary Vessels / diagnostic imaging
  • Coronary Vessels / physiopathology*
  • Echocardiography
  • Endothelium, Vascular / diagnostic imaging
  • Endothelium, Vascular / pathology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / physiopathology*
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Fibrosis
  • Heart Function Tests
  • Humans
  • Janus Kinase 2 / genetics
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Nitroglycerin
  • Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
  • Quinazolines / adverse effects*
  • Radionuclide Imaging
  • ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction / chemically induced*
  • ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction / diagnostic imaging
  • ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction / surgery
  • Thrombectomy
  • Thrombocythemia, Essential / blood
  • Thrombocythemia, Essential / drug therapy*
  • Thrombocythemia, Essential / genetics
  • Thrombocythemia, Essential / physiopathology
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence
  • Tunica Intima / diagnostic imaging
  • Tunica Intima / pathology
  • Tunica Intima / physiopathology
  • Vasodilator Agents

Substances

  • Fibrinolytic Agents
  • Quinazolines
  • Vasodilator Agents
  • JAK2 protein, human
  • Janus Kinase 2
  • Nitroglycerin
  • anagrelide
  • Acetylcholine