PULMONARY EMBOLISM, THROMBOCYTOPENIA, AND ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID SYNDROME
Abstract
This case report describes a young non-smoker male masquerading under the diagnosis of communityacquired pneumonia who was found to have respiratory symptoms attributed to bilateral pulmonaryemboli. There was also evidence of thrombocytopenia and proximal deep venous thrombosis of rightlower limb. He underwent further investigations and was found to have positive anti-cardiolipinantibodies, lupus anticoagulant and prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time due to antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. This article highlights the importance of consideration of earlierdiagnosis in younger patients with congenital thrombophilias that carries potential for prevention andtreatment of life threatening thromboembolic manifestations.Keywords: Anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome, activated partial thromboplastin time, aPTT, deepvenous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, thrombocytopeniaReferences
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