# Primary antiphospholipid syndrome complicated by recurrent acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a case report

**Authors:** Liming Huo, Chang Hou, Chengfu Cao, Xin Peng, Jian Liu

PMC · DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2025.1656890 · Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine · 2026-01-07

## TL;DR

A 35-year-old man with primary antiphospholipid syndrome had two heart attacks and was successfully treated with a personalized drug regimen.

## Contribution

This case report presents a successful multidisciplinary treatment approach for PAPS complicated by recurrent STEMI.

## Key findings

- A personalized regimen of clopidogrel, heparin, and immunosuppressants led to a favorable prognosis.
- Multidisciplinary evaluation confirmed PAPS diagnosis and guided treatment decisions.
- Combining coronary functional assessment with individualized therapy improved outcomes.

## Abstract

Clinical management of primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) complicated by acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is particularly challenging, especially when recurrent AMI and thrombocytopenia are present. This case report describes a 35-year-old male patient with PAPS who experienced two episodes of acute inferior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Comprehensive diagnostic evaluations including coronary imaging, physiology, immunology, bone marrow morphology, and molecular biology were performed to confirm the diagnosis. A personalized treatment regimen combining clopidogrel, low-molecular-weight heparin, methylprednisolone, hydroxychloroquine, and rituximab was administered, which resulted in a favorable long-term prognosis. This case underscores the importance of a multidisciplinary approach and individualized treatment strategies based on coronary functional assessment for managing patients with PAPS and AMI.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** clopidogrel (PubChem CID 2806), methylprednisolone (PubChem CID 6741), hydroxychloroquine (PubChem CID 3652)
- **Diseases:** primary antiphospholipid syndrome (MONDO:0005204), acute myocardial infarction (MONDO:0004781), thrombocytopenia (MONDO:0002049), ST-elevation myocardial infarction (MONDO:0041656), STEMI (MONDO:0041656)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** AMI (MESH:D009203), thrombocytopenia (MESH:D013921), ST-elevation myocardial infarction (MESH:D000072657), PAPS (MESH:D016736)
- **Chemicals:** rituximab (MESH:D000069283), clopidogrel (MESH:D000077144), methylprednisolone (MESH:D008775), hydroxychloroquine (MESH:D006886), heparin (MESH:D006493)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

4 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12819726/full.md

## References

16 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12819726/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12819726