High prevalence of inherited thrombophilia and antiphospholipid syndrome in myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries: Comparison with cryptogenic stroke

Abstract

BackgroundA role of thrombophilia in myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is unclear. We investigated thrombophilic factors in MINOCA patients versus those following cryptogenic stroke (CS), a well-established indication for thrombophilia screening. MethodsIn a prospective cross-sectional study, we assessed 84 consecutive patients (median age: 45.5 years) at least 3 months after MINOCA. Age-matched CS patients (n = 84) and published data on general population served as controls. Thrombophilia screening involved inherited thrombophilia (factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A mutation, deficiency of protein C, protein S or antithrombin), antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), along with factor VIII >150%, homocysteine ≥15 μM and lipoprotein (a) >30 mg/dl. ResultsCompared to CS, MINOCA were more often males (60.7 vs 33.3%, P < 0.001), obese (34.5 vs 17.9%, P = 0.014), smokers (51.2 vs 35.7%, P = 0.043) and had family history of myocardial infarction (27.4 vs 6.0%, P < 0.001). Inherited thrombophilia occurred in 20 (23.8%) MINOCA patients and in 13 (15.5%) with CS (P = 0.17), without any difference in the parameters except for elevated lipoprotein (a) that was less common in MINOCA (21.4 vs 39.3%, P = 0.012). APS was found in 13 (15.5%) of MINOCA patients, mostly in a single-positive form. APS was diagnosed less frequently in STEMI (2.5 vs 27.3% for NSTEMI, P = 0.002) and MINOCA patients aged ≤50 years (5.7 vs 32.3% for older subjects, P = 0.003). ConclusionsMINOCA patients exhibit high prevalence of thrombophilia including APS, similar to that in CS. Our first comprehensive thrombophilia testing in MINOCA supports its clinical relevance and the need for long-term anticoagulation for some abnormalities, especially APS.