Altered Mental Status in the Setting of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) and Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD): A Case Report and Literature Review

Altered mental status (AMS) is a common condition encountered in daily practice. Finding the cause is essential for treatment, but sometimes this may be challenging. Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is frequently underdiagnosed and is a potentially fatal cause of acute coronary syndrome. Clinical presentation depends on the extent of SCAD, ranging from unstable angina to sudden death. AMS has not been reported with this condition, but it may be possible in hypoperfusion states. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is part of the microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA) spectrum, presenting with AMS as the cardinal symptom. TTP is a clinical emergency, and a high index of suspicion should be present as the mortality rate in untreated patients is extremely high and can be significantly reduced with proper treatment. We present a case of a 44-year-old female with a past medical history of antiphospholipid syndrome not on anticoagulation, peptic ulcer disease, chronic kidney disease, stroke, seizures, congestive heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (EF 40%), two non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions not on dual antiplatelet therapy due to a history of gastrointestinal bleeding, and TTP, admitted to the hospital with AMS. The patient was diagnosed with two life-threatening pathologies with overlapping features but opposing management; TTP may have been caused by SCAD, even though this has never been reported. It is essential to recognize that while a single diagnosis frequently explains a patient's clinical manifestations, there are instances when various conditions may be present.