A rare case of arterial thrombosis in a 37-year-old male with Factor V Leiden mutation.

BACKGROUND

The classic triad of symptoms seen in chronic mesenteric ischaemia is post-prandial pain, sitophobia (fear of food) and progressive weight loss. Patients with mesenteric ischaemia secondary to a prothrombotic state such as that rendered by the Factor V Leiden mutation, are substantially younger than the typical elderly patient in whom embolic disease triggered by atrial fibrillation is the main underlying cause.

METHOD: This is one such case report documenting arterial thrombosis in a 37-year-old male with a subsequently identified heterozygous Factor V Leiden mutation.

CONCLUSION

Factor V Leiden mutation is a contributing risk factor in cases of small bowel infarction.