ST segment elevation pattern of acute myocardial infarction induced by acute pancreatitis.
The authors report the first emergent angiographic assessment of the coronaries with accompanying echocardiography in a 64-year-old man with dermatomyositis, who presented with ST segment elevation and cardiac specific enzyme derangements highly suggestive of myocardial infarction in the presence of acute pancreatitis. Both studies revealed no anatomical or functional evidence of obstructive coronary disease. Although the mechanism of electrocardiogram abnormalities found in acute pancreatitis remains to be elucidated fully, the authors propose a direct cardiac toxic effect by the pancreatic proteolytic enzymes to account for these changes and we recommend an angiographic approach as the first step to avoid the potentially lethal administration of thrombolytic therapy or potent anticoagulation.
Albrecht
Carlos A
CA
Division of Cardiology, University of Texas at Houston Medical School, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. albrechtcarlos@hotmail.com
Laws
Frank A
FA
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000208:Acute Disease; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000175:diagnosis; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery