Protein C and/or S deficiency presenting as peripheral arterial insufficiency

Acute lower extremity arterial thrombosis after intraocular foreign body removal under general anesthesia: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Surgery, which is a major risk factor for venous thrombosis, has rarely been considered a risk factor for arterial thrombosis. Recent studies have suggested that venous and arterial thromboses share common risk factors and have a bidirectional relationship. Accordingly, there is a growing interest in the risk of arterial thrombosis after surgery. We report a case of acute bilateral lower extremity arterial thromboses that developed after a prolonged surgery.

CASE SUMMARY

A 59-year-old man was hospitalized for intraocular foreign body removal surgery. He was a heavy-drinking smoker and had untreated hypertension and varicose veins in both legs. The operation was unexpectedly prolonged, lasting 4 h and 45 min. Immediately after emergence from general anesthesia, the patient complained of extreme pain in both legs. After the surgical drape was removed, cyanosis was evident in both feet of the patient. The pulse was not palpable, and continuous-wave Doppler signals were inaudible in the bilateral dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial arteries. Computed tomography angiography confirmed acute bilateral thrombotic occlusion of the popliteal arteries, proximal anterior tibial arteries, and tibioperoneal trunks. Arterial pulse returned in both lower limbs after 6 h of heparin initiation. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 26 without any sequelae.

CONCLUSION

Acute lower extremity arterial thrombosis can occur after surgery. Anesthesiologists should pay particular attention to patients with risk factors for thrombosis.

Multiple arterial and venous thromboembolism in a male patient with hereditary protein C deficiency: A case report

RATIONALE

Hereditary protein C deficiency has a high prevalence in Asian populations, being the important risk factor associated with thrombophilia. Traditionally, conservative medication is the first choice for patients with hereditary protein C deficiency. However, there are few reports on whether aggressive surgical treatment can be performed when patients continue to develop life-threatening ischemic symptoms after adequate anticoagulant and thrombolytic therapy.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 40-year-old male presented with right lower extremity pain for 1 week.

DIAGNOSIS

Computed tomography angiography (CTA) of lower extremity indicated arterial embolization of the right superficial femoral artery. Vascular ultrasonography showed old extensive thrombus in the deep vein of the left lower extremity. Electrocardiogram reported old anterior myocardial infarction. Sequencing of the gene encoding protein C (PROC) gene revealed that a heterozygous in-frame deletion mutation (c.577-579delAAG, p.192delK). Based on these findings, the diagnosis of hereditary protein C deficiency was made.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient was given low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) anticoagulation and urokinase treatment immediately. Then we performed the Fogarty catheter embolectomy with about 18.5 cm thrombus being removed and utilized the balloon catheter to dilate the anterior tibial artery. Despite given adequate anticoagulant and thrombolytic therapy postoperatively, the patient still had new thrombosis, and eventually underwent arterial embolectomy and amputation.

OUTCOMES

The patient was discharged with good wound healing and continued rivaroxaban treatment at a dose of 20 mg daily. The patient was followed-up monthly until 1 year: there was no adverse ischemic events occurred.

LESSONS

Aggressive surgical treatment may be the effective attempt for life-saving when conservative treatment as the first choice had unsatisfactory results in hereditary protein C deficiency patients. The novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) could be more suitable than warfarin for the treatment and prevention of recurrence in patients with hereditary protein C deficiency.

Ischemic Stroke with Protein S Deficiency Treated by Apixaban

A 57-year-old man with atherosclerosis obliterans was admitted with sudden-onset sensory aphasia and right hemiparesis. Brain MRI revealed acute cerebral infarctions in the left temporal lobe and magnetic resonance angiography showed occlusion of the posterior branch of the left middle cerebral artery. Transesophageal echocardiography and ultrasonography respectively confirmed a patent foramen ovale and deep vein thrombosis in the bilateral femoral veins. Blood findings showed low protein S antigen, low protein S activity, and a missense mutation of the PROS 1 gene. The administration of apixaban 10 mg BID prevented ischemic stroke recurrence and decreased the deep vein thrombosis. These outcomes indicated that apixaban may be alternative to warfarin for the secondary prevention of ischemic stroke in a patient with a protein S deficiency.

Omental gangrene and porto-mesenteric thrombosis in a patient of protein C and protein s deficiency

Omental gangrene is an infrequent cause of acute abdomen with unclear etiology. Hypercoagualable states like protein C or protein S deficiency have never been implicated in the etiology of omental gangrene. We present this case report of a patient having protein C and protein S deficiency presenting with omental gangrene and extensive porto mesenteric thrombosis.

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: a red clot syndrome

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare, acquired, nonmalignant disorder of hematopoietic stem cells characterized by hemolysis, diminished hematopoiesis, and thrombophilia. We describe a 65-year-old woman with known PNH and peripheral arterial disease who presented with critical limb ischemia and a nonhealing left foot ulcer. She underwent surgical bypass of a diffusely diseased left superficial femoral artery with autologous reversed saphenous vein graft. Her postoperative course was complicated by wound sepsis and PNH exacerbation with resultant graft thrombosis requiring an above-knee amputation. This case highlights several key concepts relevant to the management of vascular surgery patients with PNH: (1) their predisposition for arterial and venous thrombosis; (2) hypercoagulability despite standard anticoagulation regimens; (3) the role of eculizumab (a monoclonal antibody that inhibits complement activation used to treat PNH) in reducing thrombotic complications and hemolysis; and (4) complications associated with the immunosuppressive effects of eculizumab. We recommend careful monitoring of hemolysis and immunosuppression, aggressive anticoagulation, frequent graft surveillance, and early consultation with hematology.

Acute aortoiliac thrombotic occlusion in an infant with protein C deficiency and small atrial sepal defect--a rare case

Aortoiliac thrombosis is rare in infants and neonates. Protein C deficiency is frequently observed with venous thromboembolism, but off-late report of arterial thrombosis is increasingly common. We report a case of large infrarenal aortoiliac saddle and right popliteal artery thrombosis in a 7-month-old infant, with 3-mm atrial septal defect without clinical and Doppler evidence of deep vein thrombosis, presented with acute bilateral lower limb ischemic attack. Diagnosis was made by computed tomographic (C T) angiography of aorta and bilateral lower limbs. Patient operated on in emergency by transperitoneal route. Aortoiliac and right popliteal artery thromboembolectomy with closure of aortotomy with polytetraflouroethylene patch was performed.

A case of a patient with protein C deficiency presenting with concurrent thromboses in the pulmonary arteries and innominate artery: a suggestive computed tomographic finding of thrombophilia

The incidence of arterial thrombosis in patients with protein C deficiency is relatively low compared with that of venous thrombosis. To our knowledge, there is no previously published report of a protein C deficiency patient with simultaneous thromboses in the pulmonary artery and innominate artery in the English literature. We present a case of a protein C deficiency in which the presence of concurrent clots in the pulmonary arteries and innominate artery demonstrated on a pulmonary computed tomographic angiography provided an important clue permitting diagnosis of the deficiency.

No early signs of atherosclerotic alterations in carriers of inherited thrombophilia

BACKGROUND

Congenital thrombophilia is a risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Whether it is associated with increased risk of arterial disease is today a matter of debate. We aimed to look for early signs of atherosclerotic alterations in carriers of inherited thrombophilic alterations (ITA).

METHODS

Between January 2006 and September 2008 ultrasonography assessment of the carotid arteries with measurement of intima-media thickness (IMT), and determination of the ankle/brachial pressure index (ABI), was performed in: a) 161 carriers of ITA (deficiency of antithrombin, protein C or S, factor V Leiden or prothrombin G20210A mutations), 84 of whom with previous VTE, and b) 180 subjects without ITA, matched for age, sex and previous VTE. All subjects were <66 year old.

RESULTS

Carotid plaques were found in 8 subjects [3 (1.9%) with ITA]. Increased IMT values (>1mm) were detected in 6 subjects with and 1 without thrombophilia (p=0.055). The prevalence of IMT values>90(th) percentile was not different in subjects with/without thrombophilia (15.2% vs 11.6%, p=0.416). At multivariate analysis only age was significantly associated with increased odds ratios for IMT values>90(th) percentile. No subjects had abnormal (<0.9) ABI values.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study, the first to investigate the presence of atherosclerotic markers in relatively young subjects with inherited thrombophilia, did not find a particular prevalence of signs of early atherosclerotic markers in these subjects.

Popliteal artery occlusion in a young baseball athlete

Popliteal artery occlusion is a rare vascular complication in athletes and has not been previously documented in baseball players. A 21-year-old male baseball player presented with a 10-month history of progressive claudication because of repeated trauma-induced popliteal artery occlusion from frequently practicing stealing bases by sliding down onto his right leg. He was found to have a transient deficiency in both protein C and protein S. The patient underwent percutaneous transluminal recanalization angioplasty followed by anticoagulation therapy, with good results. This case illustrates the importance of awareness of this potential complication in baseball athletes, work-up for a hypercoagulable state and the feasibility of angioplasty therapy in the management of ischemic limbs after trauma.

Management of complications in surgery of the colon

BACKGROUND

General surgeons are frequently confronted with colorectal diseases in their daily practice, whereby colorectal cancer is the second most common malignant tumour, with almost 5000 new cases every year in Austria. The incidence of benign colon disorders requiring surgery (e.g. colon polyps, sigmoid diverticulitis) is also increasing. The first aim in colon surgery should be to avoid complications and if they occur to treat them properly.

METHODS

We basically distinguish between general and special complications. As general complications, prevention of malnutrition and support of the immune system should receive special attention. As the number of elderly patients increases, so does the risk not only of thrombembolic complications but also of critical cardiocirculatory situations, and renal and hepatic failure. Special complications depend either on the type of surgery (laparoscopic assisted, conventional open surgery) or the techniques employed (stapled, hand sutured). Handling of the tissue also plays a major role (e.g. dry versus wet pads).

RESULTS

Shortening of the postoperative stay decreases both hospital costs and the incidence of infections, meaning that minimally invasive surgery and postoperative "fast track nutrition" should be promoted. Emergency operations should be avoided (e.g. bridging through colonic stents), as morbidity and mortality are clearly increased in comparison to (semi-) elective operations. During the operation itself, new equipment and techniques (such as Ultracision®, Ligasure®) as well as a well coordinated team help to reduce complications and duration of surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

To avoid is better than to repair. If complications do occur, appropriate surgical and intensive - care measures should be taken immediately.

Testicular infarction secondary to protein S deficiency: a case report

Background

Protein S deficiency is an inherited cause of thrombophilia. We present the second reported case in the literature of a man developing testicular infarction secondary to protein S deficiency.

Case presentation

A 63 year old man presented with sudden onset of pain in his left hemi-scrotum. Despite oral warfarin therapy the plasma INR was only 1.4 at presentation. Doppler ultrasound scan of the scrotum confirmed absent blood flow to the left testis with increased echogenicity. Orchidectomy was performed to remove the necrotic testis. Post-operatively the patient did well and was referred to the Regional Haemophilia and Thrombosis Centre for further management.

Conclusion

The case highlights a rare but potential complication of protein S deficiency and demonstrates the importance of adequate anticoagulation in these patients.