Active aneurysm thrombosis after Kawasaki disease in an adult: Insight into anticoagulation therapy

The management of systemic artery aneurysms secondary to Kawasaki disease (KD) in adults remains a therapeutic challenge. KD guidelines recommend the use of anticoagulation therapy with warfarin in addition to antiplatelet therapy when a giant coronary aneurysm or a history of thrombosis is documented. However, long-term use of warfarin presents several concerns. This case reports acute thrombotic occlusion due to the giant arterial aneurysm in an adult KD. A surgical resection of the aneurysm was performed because of recurrent thrombotic events, despite anticoagulant therapy with warfarin. Pathological examinations revealed a layered thrombus with inflammation in the aneurysm and Factor Xa expression mainly in newly formed thrombus. This study provides an insight into the anticoagulation therapy for cardiovascular sequelae after KD. <Learning objective: This study, along with pathological evidence, illustrates that Factor Xa might contribute to thrombotic events after Kawasaki disease.>.