J Korean Surg Soc.  2003 Mar;64(3):269-274.

Acute Arterial Occlusion Associated with Protein C and S Deficiencies

• Jung EY
• Cho YP
• Jang HJ
• Kim JS
• Kim YH
• Han MS

Abstract

Sudden acute arterial occlusion can result from a multitude of pathological processes. Although the appearance and the secondary effects of an acute arterial occlusion are similar regardless of the underlying cause, the treatment and prognosis are different. Therefore, establishing a correct diagnosis is crucial. Acute arterial occlusion is most frequently a complication of ischemic cardiac disease, with an atrial fibrillation occurring in most patients. An identifiable noncardiac source of the acute arterial occlusion can be found in 5~10% of patients. Howerver, in these cases, the specific source of the occlusion cannot be determined clinically or even at autopsy. Possible hypercoagulable states should be suspected and appropriately evaluated, particularly in patients with no history of antecedent occlusive disease who present with sudden arterial occlusions, or in patients with malignant disease. Protein C and protein S deficiencies are frequently described as a cause of the hypercoagulable states. We reported 3 cases of acute arterial occlusion associated with protein C and S deficiencies.

Keyword

Acute disease; Arterial occlusion; Protein C; Protein S; Deficiency

MeSH Terms

Acute Disease
Atrial Fibrillation
Autopsy
Diagnosis
Heart Diseases
Humans
Pathologic Processes
Prognosis
Protein C*
Protein S
Protein S Deficiency
Protein C
Protein S