[Polycythemia vera, complicated by myocardial infarction]

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Pathology

Background:

• Primary polycythemia, or polycythemia vera, is a myeloproliferative neoplasm.
• Vaquez-Osler disease is a classical description of this condition.

Observation:

• Autopsy of a female patient revealed definitive diagnosis of primary polycythemia.
• Histological examination showed pronounced normo-, granulo-, and megakaryocyte hyperplasia in bone marrow, spleen, and liver.
• Splenomegaly and myelosis with atypical megakaryocytes were observed.

Findings:

• The patient presented with a classical form of Vaquez-Osler disease.
• Complications included thrombosis in two coronary arteries.
• The lethal outcome was attributed to myocardial infarction.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of histological examination for diagnosing primary polycythemia, especially in complex or advanced cases.
• Understanding the pathological hallmarks and potential complications like coronary thrombosis is crucial for patient management and prognosis.
• The study highlights the severe consequences of untreated or advanced myeloproliferative neoplasms.