Ischemic stroke due to protein C deficiency.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Genetics
• Neurology

Background:

• Plasma protein C is a vitamin K-dependent anticoagulant protein.
• It inactivates coagulation factors V and VIII, regulating thrombin generation.
• Hereditary protein C deficiency is an autosomal dominant disorder linked to thrombosis risk.

Observation:

• Heterozygous protein C deficiency usually increases the risk of venous thromboembolism.
• Arterial thrombosis is an uncommon manifestation of protein C deficiency.
• A young patient with heterozygous protein C deficiency presented with a severe stroke.

Findings:

• The patient experienced thrombotic occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery.
• This case demonstrates a rare arterial thrombotic event in protein C deficiency.
• The stroke was attributed to the patient's heterozygous protein C deficiency.

Implications:

• This case expands the clinical spectrum of hereditary protein C deficiency.
• It underscores the potential for arterial thrombosis in affected individuals.
• Further research may elucidate mechanisms linking protein C deficiency to arterial events.