Abstract 16758: Unexplained Recurrent St-elevation Myocardial Infarction Complicated By Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage In Undiagnosed Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis

Abstract

Case Presentation: A 53-year-old man with a history of well-controlled hypertension and dyslipidemia presented with chest pain due to anterior STEMI for which a proximal LAD stent was placed. A week later, he presented with recurrent chest pain and ST elevation in the anterior chest leads. Coronary angiography showed in-stent thrombosis with heavy thrombus burden extending through the LAD. Manual thrombectomy with a second stent placement was done. He was discharged on triple therapy (aspirin, clopidogrel, and rivaroxaban), later, he presented to our medical facility with a 1-week history of hemoptysis. His clinical condition deteriorated requiring intubation. Laboratory work-up revealed elevated renal functions, proteinuria, and significant hematuria. CXR showed diffuse patchy opacities while CT chest was consistent with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (Figure 1). Further work-up revealed elevated anti-proteinase 3 (c-ANCA) and low C4. Based on microscopic hematuria, renal impairment, and a positive c-ANCA, a diagnosis of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) was made. Induction with methylprednisolone, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab was initiated. His condition gradually improved, he was extubated successfully with marked improvement of renal functions. He was discharged on clopidogrel and scheduled for follow-up. Discussion: Few case reports have described STEMI as the initial presentation of GPA, likely attributed to vasculitis and accelerated atherosclerosis from systemic inflammation. Our patient had well-controlled cardiovascular risk factors and renal involvement with hematuria and elevated creatinine at the time of STEMI diagnosis, together with intermittent joint pains, suggesting ongoing systemic vasculitis. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for the possibility of non-atherosclerotic coronary stenosis as in cases of coronary vasculitis for early detection and management of a potentially reversible condition.