Coronary thrombosis and myocardial infarction as the initial manifestation of protein C deficiency in a 20-year-old man.

We report on a 20-year-old man who presented with an extensive acute anteroseptal myocardial infarction (from a thrombotic occlusion of the left anterior coronary artery) as the initial manifestation of hereditary protein C deficiency. This case report, along with previous reports, indicates that a diagnosis of protein C deficiency in young patients with myocardial infarctions is essential for more appropriate management and for the prevention of recurrent events. Furthermore, family screening could lead to a prophylactic approach in carriers of this mutation.