Myocardial Infarction in a Patient with Coexisting Protein C Deficiency: A Single Case Report and Systematic Review and Pooled Analysis of Published Case Reports

Authors

  • Chanakarn Kanitthamniyom Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Science Center, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
  • Tarinee Rungjirajittranon Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
  • Korakoth Towashiraporn Her Majesty Cardiac Center, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
  • Thanaphat Lalitrojwong Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
  • Nattawut Leelakanok Division of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand
  • Theera Ruchutrakool Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
  • Yingyong Chinthammitr Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
  • Bundarika Suwanawiboon Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
  • Weerapat Owattanapanich Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33192/smj.v78i7.281416

Keywords:

Hematology, Protein C deficiency, Thrombophilia, Myocardial infarction, Thrombosis

Abstract

Objective: To report a case of MI in a patient with PC deficiency and to conduct a systematic review and pooled analysis of published cases to summarize clinical features, laboratory findings, recurrence patterns, and management strategies.

Materials and Methods: A systematic review and pooled analysis of reported cases with concurrent MI and PC deficiency was performed. Literature published through June 2024 was identified by searches of MEDLINE and Embase.

Results: Thirty-three patients, including the present case, were analyzed. Median age at presentation was 37 years (IQR 26.5–44). Traditional atherosclerotic risk factors were reported in 6 patients (18.2%). Recurrent arterial and/or venous thrombosis occurred in 19 patients (57.6%). Median PC activity and antigen levels were 42.8% (IQR 32.3–50.5%) and 44.0% (IQR 39.7–52.2%), respectively. Four distinct PROC mutations were described. Coronary angiography most often showed thrombotic occlusion without clear atherosclerotic disease. Combination anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy was the most common treatment approach. Active smoking was associated with recurrent thrombosis (odds ratio 6.667, 95% CI 1.047–42.431; p=0.045).

Conclusions: PC deficiency may be associated with MI and a high rate of recurrent thrombosis. Targeted evaluation may be considered in selected MI patients, particularly when coronary angiography shows no significant atherosclerosis.

References

Koeleman BP, Reitsma PH, Allaart CF, Bertina RM. Activated protein C resistance as an additional risk factor for thrombosis in protein C-deficient families. Blood. 1994;84(4):1031-5.

Bucciarelli P, Passamonti SM, Biguzzi E, Gianniello F, Franchi F, Mannucci PM, et al. Low borderline plasma levels of antithrombin, protein C and protein S are risk factors for venous thromboembolism. J Thromb Haemost. 2012;10(9):1783-91.

Svensson PJ, Dahlbäck B. Resistance to activated protein C as a basis for venous thrombosis. N Engl J Med. 1994;330(8):517-22.

Di Minno MN, Ambrosino P, Ageno W, Rosendaal F, Di Minno G, et al. Natural anticoagulants deficiency and the risk of venous thromboembolism: a meta-analysis of observational studies. Thromb Res. 2015;135(5):923-32.

Mahmoodi BK, Brouwer JL, Ten Kate MK, Lijfering WM, Veeger NJ, Mulder AB, et al. A prospective cohort study on the absolute risks of venous thromboembolism and predictive value of screening asymptomatic relatives of patients with hereditary deficiencies of protein S, protein C or antithrombin. J Thromb Haemost. 2010;8(6):1193-200.

Chiasakul T, De Jesus E, Tong J, Chen Y, Crowther M, Garcia D, et al. Inherited thrombophilia and the risk of arterial ischemic stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Heart Assoc. 2019;8(19):e012877.

Ye Z, Liu EH, Higgins JP, Keavney BD, Lowe GD, Collins R, et al. Seven haemostatic gene polymorphisms in coronary disease: meta-analysis of 66,155 cases and 91,307 controls. Lancet. 2006;367(9511):651-8.

Kim RJ, Becker RC. Association between factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T mutations and events of the arterial circulatory system: a meta-analysis of published studies. Am Heart J. 2003;146(6):948-57.

Juul K, Tybjaerg-Hansen A, Steffensen R, Kofoed S, Jensen G, Nordestgaard BG. Factor V Leiden: The Copenhagen City Heart Study and 2 meta-analyses. Blood. 2002;100(1):3-10.

Burzotta F, Paciaroni K, De Stefano V, Crea F, Maseri A, Leone G, et al. G20210A prothrombin gene polymorphism and coronary ischaemic syndromes: a phenotype-specific meta-analysis of 12 034 subjects. Heart. 2004;90(1):82-6.

May JE, Moll S. Unexplained arterial thrombosis: approach to diagnosis and treatment. Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program. 2021;2021(1):76-84.

Arachchillage DJ, Mackillop L, Chandratheva A, Motawani J, MacCallum P, Laffan M. Thrombophilia testing: A British Society for Haematology guideline. Br J Haematol. 2022198(3):443-58.

Gagnier JJ, Kienle G, Altman DG, Moher D, Sox H, Riley D; CARE Group. The CARE guidelines: consensus-based clinical case reporting guideline development. BMJ Case Rep. 2013;2013:bcr2013201554.

Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG. Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement. BMJ. 2009;339:b2535.

Moola S, Munn Z, Tufanaru C, Aromataris E, Sears K, Sfetcu R, et al. Chapter 7: Systematic reviews of etiology and risk. In: Aromataris E and Munn Z (Editors). JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis. JBI, 2020. Available from: https:// synthesismanual.jbi.global

Sampayo-Cordero M, Miguel-Huguet B, Pardo-Mateos A, Malfettone A, Pérez-García J, Llombart-Cussac A, et al. Agreement between results of meta-analyses from case reports and clinical studies, regarding efficacy and safety of idursulfase therapy in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS-II). A new tool for evidence-based medicine in rare diseases. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2019;14(1):230.

Coller BS, Owen J, Jesty J, Horowitz D, Reitman MJ, Spear J, et al. Deficiency of plasma protein S, protein C, or antithrombin III and arterial thrombosis. Arteriosclerosis. 1987;7(5):456-62

Hacker SM, Williamson BD, Lisco S, Kure J, Shea M, Pitt B. Protein C deficiency and acute myocardial infarction in the third decade. Am J Cardiol. 1991;68(1):137-8.

Kario K, Matsuo T, Tai S, Sakamoto S, Yamada T, Miki T, et al. Congenital protein C deficiency and myocardial infarction: concomitant factor VII hyperactivity may play a role in the onset of arterial thrombosis. Thromb Res. 1992;67(1):95-103

Bux-Gewehr I, Nacke A, Feurle GE. Recurring myocardial infarction in a 35 year old woman. Heart. 1999;81(3):316-7.

Ninomiya M, Makuuchi H, Ohtsuka T, Takamoto S. Ischemic heart disease associated with protein C deficiency. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2001;20(4):883-5.

Sadiq A, Ahmed S, Karim A, Spivak J, Mattana J. Acute myocardial infarction: a rare complication of protein C deficiency. Am J Med. 2001;110(5):414

Cakir O, Ayyildiz O, Oruc A, Eren N. A young adult with coronary artery and jugular vein thrombosis: a case report of combined protein S and protein C deficiency. Heart Vessels. 2002;17(2):74-6.

Peterman MA, Roberts WC. Syndrome of protein C deficiency and anterior wall acute myocardial infarction at a young age from a single coronary occlusion with otherwise normal coronary arteries. Am J Cardiol. 2003;92(6):768-70

Tiong IY, Alkotob ML, Ghaffari S. Protein C deficiency manifesting as an acute myocardial infarction and ischaemic stroke. Heart. 2003;89(2):E7.

Cakir O, Ayyildiz O, Goz M, Sit D, Eren N. Myocardial infarction and venous thrombosis in a 42-year old woman with heterozygous methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHRF) gene mutation, hyperhomocysteinemia, and protein C deficiency. Int J Cardiol. 2007;117(3):e98-100.

Ahmed T, Mansur M. Protein C Deficiency in a Patient of Acute Myocardial Infarction. Ibrahim Medical College Journal. 2009;3(1):34-5.

Yokoyama Y, Satoh H, Kurata A, Otani T, Fujieda H, Abe Y, et al. [Surgical removal of native aortic valve thrombosis associated with acute myocardial infarction and protein C deficiency; report of a case]. Kyobu Geka. 2009;62(3):238-40.

Eshtehardi P, Ghassemi-Kakroodi P, Garachemani A, Eslami M, Moayed DA. Coronary thrombosis and myocardial infarction as the initial manifestation of protein C deficiency in a 20-year-old man. Heart Lung. 2011;40(4):e112-4.

D’Angelo A, Pizzicannella J, Dalla Valle P, Meloni C, Sampietro F, Cianflone D, et al. Triple antithrombotic treatment with aspirin, clopidogrel and dabigatran etexilate in a young patient with anterior myocardial infarction and combined deficiency of protein C and protein S [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 72th CONGRESSO NAZIONALE della Società Italiana di Cardiologia; 2011 Dec 10-12; Rome, Italy.

Hisatomi K, Yamada T, Odate T, Yamashita K. Intermittent coronary artery occlusion caused by a floating thrombus in the left coronary sinus of valsalva of a patient with a normal aorta and protein C deficiency. Ann Thorac Surg. 2011;92(4):1508-10.

Cheng YC, Tsai CS, Lin YC, Kao CH, Tsai YT. Multiple episodes of arterial thrombosis in a young man with protein C deficiency: a case report. Vascular. 2012;20(6):318-20.

Sayin MR, Akpinar I, Karabag T, Aydin M, Dogan SM, Cil C. Left main coronary artery thrombus resulting from combined protein C and S deficiency. Intern Med. 2012;51(21):3041-4.

Maqbool S, Rastogi V, Seth A, Singh S, Kumar V, Mustaqueem A. Protein-C deficiency presenting as pulmonary embolism and myocardial infarction in the same patient. Thromb J. 2013;11(1):19.

Wypasek E, Pankiw-Bembenek O, Potaczek DP, Alhenc-Gelas M, Trebacz J, Undas A. A missense mutation G109R in the PROC gene associated with type I protein C deficiency in a young Polish man with acute myocardial infarction. Int J Cardiol. 2013;167(5):e146-8.

Al-Talib, T, Pollock, J, Velez-Martinez, M. Acute arterial thrombosis due to a hypercoagulable state manifesting with inferior ST-elevation myocardial infarction and critical limb ischemia. JACC. 2016;67 (13_Supplement):1151.

Favuzzi G, D’ Andrea G, Tiscia GL, Cappucci F, Fischetti L, Chinni E, et al. Combined protein C/protein S deficiency: Genotype-phenotype relationship in an Italian family carrying two novel mutations. J Thromb Haemost. 2017;1 (Suppl 1):626-7.

Chowdhury AW, Saleh MA, Hasan P, Amin MG, Sabah KM, Islam KN, et al. Protein C deficiency causing recurrent myocardial infarction in a young male. Mymensingh Medical Journal. 2018;27:658-64.

Hubert A, Guéret P, Leurent G, Martins RP, Auffret V, Bedossa M. Myocardial infarction and thrombophilia: Do not miss the right diagnosis! Rev Port Cardiol (Engl Ed). 2018;37(1):89.e1-89.e4.

Reznik EV, Shcherbakova ES, Borisovskaya SV, Gavrilov YV, Pajeva TM, Lepkov SV, et al. ST-elevation myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, and cerebral ischemic stroke in a patient with critically low levels of natural anticoagulants. J Cardiol Cases. 2019;21(3):106-9.

Tahir F, Majid Z, Majid B, Khan S. Acute myocardial infarction as an initial presentation of protein c and protein s deficiency followed by dilated cardiomyopathy in a young male. Cureus. 2019;11(4):e4492.

Tahir F, Majid Z, Bin Arif T, Ahmed J. Cerebral infarction followed by myocardial infarction in a young adult with protein C and S deficiency. Cureus. 2020;12(1):e6665.

Al Yaarubi R, Al Rawahi B, Al Lawati H. Protein C deficiency presenting as an acute infero-posterior ST elevation myocardial infarction in a young man; A case report and focused literature review. Thromb Res. 2020;192:109-12.

Kulahcioglu S, Ayturk M, Sari M. Multiple thrombotic sources and embolic events at arterial sites in a patient with protein-C deficiency. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. 2021;32(8):607-10.

Sun L, Li X, Li Q, Wang L, Li J, Shu C. Multiple arterial and venous thromboembolism in a male patient with hereditary protein C deficiency: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore). 2021;100(15):e25575.

Seo J, Lee J, Shin YH, Jang AY, Suh SY. Acute myocardial infarction after initially diagnosed with unprovoked venous thromboembolism: A case report. World J Clin Cases. 2023;11(30):7497-501.

Chi GC, Kanter MH, Li BH, Qian L, Reading SR, Harrison TN, et al. Trends in Acute Myocardial Infarction by Race and Ethnicity. J Am Heart Assoc. 2020;9(5):e013542.

Reitsma PH, Poort SR, Bernardi F, Gandrille S, Long GL, Sala N, et al. Protein C deficiency: a database of mutations. For the Protein C & S Subcommittee of the Scientific and Standardization Committee of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis. Thromb Haemost. 1993;69(1):77-84.

Yue Y, Liu S, Han X, Xiao L, Huang Q, Li S, et al. Pathogenic variants of PROC gene caused type I activity deficiency in a familial Chinese venous thrombosis. J Cell Mol Med. 2019;23(10):7099-104.

Rojnuckarin P, Settapiboon R, Akkawat B, Teocharoen S, Suksusut A, Uaprasert N. Natural anticoagulant deficiencies in Thais: A population-based study. Thromb Res. 2019;178:7-11.

Chandrasekaran B, Kurbaan AS. Myocardial infarction with angiographically normal coronary arteries. J R Soc Med. 2002;95(8):398-400.

Laganà B, Baratta L, Tubani L, Golluscio V, Delfino M, Rossi Fanelli F. Myocardial infarction with normal coronary arteries in a patient with primary antiphospholipid syndrome--case report and literature review. Angiology. 2001;52(11):785-8.

Singla A, Jagasia D, Garg M, Lowry PA, Stapleton D. Acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: a rare initial presentation of previously undiagnosed essential thrombocythemia. Platelets. 2012;23(6):463-6.

Sucato V, Comparato F, Ortello A, Galassi AR. Myocardical Infarction with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries (MINOCA): pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment. Curr Probl Cardiol. 2024;49(7):102583.

Pasupathy S, Air T, Dreyer RP, Tavella R, Beltrame JF. Systematic review of patients presenting with suspected myocardial infarction and nonobstructive coronary arteries. Circulation. 2015;131(10):861-70.

Tamis-Holland JE, Jneid H, Reynolds HR, Agewall S, Brilakis ES, Brown TM, et al.; American Heart Association Interventional Cardiovascular Care Committee of the Council on Clinical Cardiology; Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing; Council on Epidemiology and Prevention; and Council on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research. Contemporary diagnosis and management of patients with myocardial infarction in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2019;139(18):e891-e908.

Cheng YJ, Liu ZH, Yao FJ, Zeng WT, Zheng DD, Dong YG, et al. Current and former smoking and risk for venous thromboembolism: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Med. 2013;10(9):e1001515.

Mahmoodi BK, Cushman M, Anne Næss I, Allison MA, Bos WJ, Brækkan SK, et al. Association of traditional cardiovascular risk factors with venous thromboembolism: An individual participant data meta-analysis of prospective studies. Circulation. 2017;135(1):7-16.

Ageno W, Becattini C, Brighton T, Selby R, Kamphuisen PW. Cardiovascular risk factors and venous thromboembolism: a meta-analysis. Circulation. 2008;117(1):93-102.

Tientadakul P, Chinthammitr Y, Sanpakit K, Wongwanit C, Nilanont Y. Inappropriate use of protein C, protein S, and antithrombin testing for hereditary thrombophilia screening: an experience from a large university hospital. Int J Lab Hematol. 2011;33(6):593-600.

Published

01-07-2026

How to Cite

Kanitthamniyom, C., Rungjirajittranon, T., Towashiraporn, K., Lalitrojwong, T., Leelakanok, N. ., Ruchutrakool, T., Chinthammitr, Y. ., Suwanawiboon, B. ., & Owattanapanich, W. . (2026). Myocardial Infarction in a Patient with Coexisting Protein C Deficiency: A Single Case Report and Systematic Review and Pooled Analysis of Published Case Reports. Siriraj Medical Journal, 78(7), 540–550. https://doi.org/10.33192/smj.v78i7.281416

Issue

Section

Original Article

Categories