Bilateral lower extremity amputation in a transgender female on estrogen therapy suffering from recurrent, medication-resistant arterial thrombi

Abstract

This case report presents a 40-year-old transgender female with a history of gender-affirming hormone therapy who experienced recurrent, medication-resistant arterial thrombi leading to bilateral lower extremity amputations. Despite multiple endovascular and surgical interventions, including bypass grafting and catheter-directed thrombolysis, the patient developed recurrent thrombotic events even while on anticoagulation therapy. Hematologic evaluation for coagulopathy was unremarkable. The case underscores the need for greater understanding of gender-affirming hormone therapy’s long-term cardiovascular effects while highlighting the challenges in managing arterial thrombosis in transgender patients. Further research is required to guide optimal anticoagulation strategies in this population.

Keywords

• Acute limb ischemia
• Arterial thrombi
• Estrogen therapy
• Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT)
• Transgender