[Percutaneous coronary intervention in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia]

A 63-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for evaluation of leukocytopenia and blast cells in the peripheral blood smear. The general condition was reduced, a maculo-papulous exanthema of the face and upper body as well as a general lymphadenopathy were found.

Bone marrow examination revealed the diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) FAB M1 and a normal karyotype. Extramedullary manifestations of AML were demonstrated in skin and lymphnode biopsies. ECG showed no signs of ischemia, echocardiography a normal left-ventricular function.

The patient received induction treatment using sequential high-dose cytosinarabinosid and mitoxantrone, which rapidly resolved the extramedullary skin- and lymphnode-manifestations of the AML. During the chemotherapy-associated bone marrow aplasia a non-ST-elevation infarction (NSTEMI) developed combined with severe ischemic cardiomyopathy, high-grade mitral valve deficiency and serious congestive heart failure with respiratory failure. Coronary artery angiography showed a complete occlusion of the proximal ramus circumflexus. Percutanous coronary intervention (PCI) with implantation of a bare-metal stent was performed, which resulted in prompt improvement of the condition. Despite the transfusion-dependent thrombocytopenia a dual antiplatelet therapy with acetylsalicylic acid and clopidogrel was given. After each unit of platelets transfused a loading dose of 600 mg clopidogrel was given to prevent stent thrombosis. The patient did not experience major bleeding and was discharged in complete remission of AML and completely cardially recompensated.

Coronary angiography and stenting can generally be safely performed in patients with transfusion-dependent thrombocytopenia. Despite a higher risk of bleeding an oral dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and e. g. clopidogrel according to the guidelines should be performed, but its duration should be adapted to the individual patient circumstances.