Recurrent deep venous thrombosis in an HIV-positive and injecting drug user woman

Abstract

We report a case of recurrent deep venous thrombosis in a 44-year-old woman, intravenous drug user and HIV-infected, who injected cocaine in the groins and veins of the dorsum of the feet. She suffered several episodes of deep venous thrombosis and soft-tissue infections in the lower limbs. Images of Doppler ultrasound scan revealed thrombosis in the right popliteal vein with partial recanalization and calcified thrombi in the territory of the right femoral vein. After use of heparin and oral anticoagulation, her clinical evolution was uneventful, and she was asymptomatic at the occasion of the hospital discharge. This report calls for better awareness about injections in the groins and superficial femoral veins, which are part of the deep venous system. Thrombosis related to HIV infection is highlighted.

Recurrent thrombosis in an HIV-1 infected child

“…[1] Various abnormalities predisposing to hypercoagulable state have been reported in AIDS patients including the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies,[2] lupus anticoagulant, deficiencies of proteins C and S, heparin cofactor II, and antithrombin and use of protease inhibitors. [3] Though more than one thrombotic episode has been reported in adults,[45] it has rarely been reported in children. [6] We report an HIV infected boy who had three thromboembolic episodes in a matter of 6 months and finally succumbed to the disease.…”