Article Text
Summary
Polycythaemia vera (PV) is the most common myeloproliferative neoplasm, characterised by increased red cell mass that can present as an unspecified symptom or a thrombohaemorrhagic event. Its diagnosis is based on the presence of erythrocytosis, the identification of the Janus kinase 2 mutation and bone marrow aspirate or biopsy alterations. The challenge of this disease lies on the treatment approach. Its cornerstone is phlebotomy, but depending on the vascular risk, it can include cytoreductive agents, low-dose aspirin or even anticoagulation. We present the case of a 75-year-old woman, whose inaugural presentation of PV was an arterial peripheral occlusion followed by three recurrent events in the same arterial region and a pulmonary embolism. A phlebotomy was initially performed and, after the diagnosis was made, the patient was initiated on low-dose aspirin and anticoagulation with favourable outcome.
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Footnotes
Contributors RdSG was involved in conception and design, drafting, editing and final approval of submitted version. She also collected all data regarding the clinical case and interpreted it. AR was involved in conception and design, editing, revising and final approval of submitted version. FMG was involved in editing and revising the article. JPdG was involved in editing and revising the article.
Competing interests None declared.
Patient consent Obtained.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.