Spontaneous arterial thrombosis in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus infection: successful treatment with pharmacomechanical thrombectomy.

Patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have various coagulation abnormalities as well as increased risk for development of clinical thrombosis and subsequent embolic events. We report acute lower leg ischemia caused by spontaneous atheroembolism with no identifiable source in a young patient with HIV infection. Treatment included percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy and thrombolysis, which reversed the arterial ischemia. Physicians should be aware of thromboembolic disease as a possible complication of HIV.