Myocardial injury in HIV-associated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) has been associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. With the high prevalence of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, HIV-associated TTP is the most common form of this disease seen in the South African population. Several case reports describe myocardial infarction in HIV-negative TTP patients. The case of the first HIV-positive patient who presented with clinical signs and symptoms of TTP and myocardial injury is reported in this study. A patient with fragmentation haemolysis and thrombocytopenia presented with angina. Risk factors for ischaemic heart disease were absent. An electrocardiogram (EKG) revealed ST-segment elevation and a significantly raised Troponin T level. The patient's HIV test was positive and a diagnosis of myocardial injury with HIV-associated TTP was made. The patient was treated with plasma infusion and steroid therapy. Due to poor response, the therapy was changed to plasma exchange. The patient recovered fully and subsequent coronary angiography revealed normal coronary vessels. Treatment of myocardial infarction in TTP is controversial, but the treatment cornerstone should remain plasma infusion or plasma exchange. As patients are often young and do not have the classical risk factors of ischaemic heart disease, a high level of suspicion and routine exclusion of myocardial ischaemia in these patients are advised.