Abstract
Essential thrombocythemia is a rare cause of ischemic cardiovascular events. A 23-year-old
young man was admitted with chest pain to the coronary care unit. Electrocardiogram
revealed acute anterior myocardial infarction (AMI). He had a platelet count 748,000/mm3 and detailed hematologic investigation led to the diagnosis of essential thrombocythemia.
Coronary angiography revealed two vessel disease, with 95% stenosis in the middle
of left anterior descending artery (LAD), thrombotic occlusion of distal LAD and recanalized
thrombus in the right coronary artery (RCA). Apical akinesia and anterolateral hypokinesia
was present by left ventriculography. In the same session, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor
antagonist drug (tirofiban) therapy was started and after 4 × 16 mm NIR primo stent
was implanted in the middle of the LAD. With aspirin 300 mg/day and ticlopidine 500
mg/day therapy, platelet count was found to be around 530,000–550,000/mm3. Clinical follow-up of the patient showed no chest pain. Six months after angioplasty,
stent in the LAD and distal of LAD was found to be open with control coronary angiography.
Recanalized thrombus in RCA showed no difference. Medical follow up is decided. We
decided to report this case since essential thrombocythemia is a rare disease that
may result in serious life-threatening cardiovascular complication.
