Myocardial infarction is a complication of factor H-associated atypical HUS

Abstract

Cardiac complications are frequently seen in thrombotic thrombocytopaenic purpura related to ADAMTS13 deficiency. We describe the case of a 43-year-old woman who was diagnosed with an atypical haemolytic-uraemic syndrome (aHUS) associated with a pathogenic mutation in the factor H gene (C623S). After 15 days of treatment, she suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and died despite intensive resuscitation attempts. She showed only one cardiovascular risk factor, hypercholesterolaemia. Her sudden death was secondary to cardiac infarction related to a coronary thrombotic microangiopathy. This is the first case of aHUS related to a mutation in the factor H gene associated with cardiac microangiopathy. This case emphasizes the need to screen for cardiac complication during the treatment of aHUS.