Recurrent coronary syndromes in a patient with isolated very-high lipoprotein (a) and the prothrombin genetic variant rs1799963 (G20210A): a case report

BACKGROUND: Elevated lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] is an under-diagnosed genetically inherited risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) and calcific aortic valve stenosis. Premature myocardial infarction (MI) could stem from the association between elevated Lp(a) and other non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors. CASE SUMMARY: Here, we report a male patient with extremely high Lp(a) plasma levels [610 nmol/L (244 mg/dL); normal <75 nmol/L (<30 mg/dL)] associated with the prothrombin genetic variant rs1799963 (G20210A) and no other CHD risk factor. At the age of 32, he suffered recurrent episodes of MI treated by coronary angioplasty and drug eluting stents. The patient who was initially prescribed antiplatelet therapy, beta-blockers, and statins, has subsequently been treated by lipoprotein apheresis every fortnight for 43 months. He has never experienced any recurrent episode of angina or chest pain since. DISCUSSION: The rare association between extremely elevated circulating Lp(a) levels and prothrombotic genetic variants of coagulation factors appears to be a deadly combination that can only be adequately treated by antiplatelet therapy and lipoprotein apheresis.