Acute anterior myocardial infarction after multiple bee stings. A case of Kounis syndrome.
A 58-year-old man with no history of cardiac diseases or cardiovascular risk factors was stung by honeybees. Soon after, he gradually developed signs of an allergic reaction followed by severe retrosternal pain. Electrocardiographic, echocardiographic evidence and positive biochemical markers were consistent with an acute anterolateral myocardial infarction. Coronary arteriography showed a left anterior descending artery thrombotic lesion. This is a case of Kounis syndrome, which is the concurrence of acute coronary syndromes with conditions associated with mast cell activation including allergic or hypersensitivity reactions as well as anaphylactic or anaphylactoid insults. The clinical implications and pathophysiology of this dangerous association are discussed.
Dimitrios Z
DZ
Mytas
Pavlos N
PN
Stougiannos
Michael N
MN
Zairis
Georgios Z
GZ
Tsiaousis
Stefanos G
SG
Foussas
George N
GN
Hahalis
Nicholas G
NG
Kounis
Vlassios N
VN
Pyrgakis
D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees; D006801:Humans; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology