Acute myocardial infarction and renal dysfunction due to chronic extreme anemia (hemoglobin 2.5 g/dL) in immune thrombocytopenia

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an acquired thrombocytopenia where autoantibodies are generated against platelet antigens. Primary ITP is often idiopathic, whereas secondary ITP has many potential causes, including drug induced, infection related (human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C), leukemias, or autoimmune such as systemic lupus erythematosus. ITP is a common cause of thrombocytopenia in asymptomatic individuals, where evidence of bleeding may be minor or absent. Chronic silent bleeding leading to extreme anemia in patients with ITP is rare, and evidence of multiorgan damage is even rarer; hence the relevance of this case report. Here we describe a case of primary ITP with severe chronic blood loss leading to profound anemia causing renal failure and a type II non-ST elevation myocardial infarction. Our patient underwent extensive workup for the etiology of both thrombocytopenia and anemia and was eventually treated with packed red blood cell and platelet transfusions, along with intravenous steroids and immunoglobulin therapy.