Clinical lesson to not overlook venous thrombosis: a case of primary antiphospholipid syndrome

A man in his early 30s presented to us with progressive shortness of breath limiting activities of daily living. An important clue in history was the episode of a deep vein thrombosis 5 years ago treated with short-term anticoagulation. His echocardiography revealed elevated estimated pulmonary artery systolic pressure. A CT pulmonary angiography confirmed chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Blood investigations established primary antiphospholipid syndrome. He underwent pulmonary endarterectomy, relieving his symptoms and was started on indefinite oral anticoagulation with warfarin. He is currently under follow-up with no recurrence of thrombosis.We wish to highlight the importance of an appropriate workup of venous thrombosis in all patients. Antiphospholipid syndrome is a rare disease with important implications in the management of patients with thromboses. The delay in his diagnosis had several causes including the unclear distinction between provoked and unprovoked thrombosis and socioeconomic factors in a developing nation limiting referral and testing.