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[Giant cell arteritis as a cause of myocardial infarction. Description of a case]
G Neri1, R Zamprogno, A Borsato
1Ospedale Civile di Montebelluna, Treviso.
Insights
Giant cell arteritis, a rare disease in the elderly, typically affects large arteries. This case study unexpectedly found it involving coronary arteries, leading to myocardial infarction.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Pathology
- Rheumatology
- Geriatric Medicine
Background:
- Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is an idiopathic vasculitis affecting large and medium-sized arteries, predominantly in individuals over 50.
- Histological hallmarks include intimal proliferation, internal elastic lamina disruption, and inflammatory infiltrate with giant cells.
- Extracranial arterial involvement, particularly the aorta and its major branches, is considered rare in GCA.
Abstract:
Giant cell arteritis is a disease of the elderly of unknown origin. It involves large, medium and small sized arteries. The extracranial arteries, especially the aorta and its main branches, are rarely involved. The typical histologic features are fibrous intimal proliferation, the disruption of the internal elastic lamina, the presence of mixed cellular infiltrate, plasma cells and histiocytes and giant cells. We report the case of a 78-year-old patient, who died of acute myocardial infarction. The autopsy unexpectedly revealed giant cell arteritis involving the coronary arteries and other systemic arteries.