A fatal case of VEXAS syndrome with a brief review
VEXAS syndrome (vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) is a recently described adult-onset autoinflammatory condition characterized by somatic mutations in the X-linked UBA1 gene. UBA1 mutations cause defective protein ubiquitination, driving widespread inflammation and hematologic dysregulation. VEXAS predominantly affects males aged >50 years, with a prevalence of approximately 1 in 4000 in this population.<sup>1</sup> Diagnosis requires strong clinical suspicion and is confirmed via genetic testing. Currently, no standardized treatment exists, and patients often fail conventional immunosuppression. We present a VEXAS case complicated by recurrent thromboinflammatory events and progressive vascular involvement leading to a fatal outcome despite optimal multidisciplinary care. The patient consented to have his case published.
Authors
- Nedaa Skeik (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2284-1938)
- Jesse Manunga (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1846-7904)
- Grant Stoltman
- Rashid Skeik
Institutions
- Allina Health (US)
- Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation (US)
- Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Vascular Surgery Cases and Innovative Techniques
- Published
- 2026-01-05
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvscit.2026.102126
- Primary Topic
- Otitis Media and Relapsing Polychondritis
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00