title: Hyperventilation-induced ST segment elevation mimicking acute myocardial infarction in a comatose patient with tracheostomy.
abstract: Controlled hyperventilation leading to respiratory alkalosis may induce coronary artery spasm. This manoeuvre is currently used in the diagnosis of Prinzmetal's angina. We describe the case of a comatose patient with tracheostomy in whom hyperventilation, caused by excessive bronchial secretion resulting in partial obstruction of the tracheal cannula, was followed by ST segment elevation mimicking acute myocardial infarction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Pharmacology, Messina University Medical School, Messina, Italy. Electronic address: cesaredegregorio@tiscali.it.
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Gregorio
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Pharmacology, Messina University Medical School, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Saporito
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Pharmacology, Messina University Medical School, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Andò
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Pharmacology, Messina University Medical School, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Morabito
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Pharmacology, Messina University Medical School, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cerrito
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Pharmacology, Messina University Medical School, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Oreto
mesh_terms: D003128:Coma / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003329:Coronary Vasospasm / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D006985:Hyperventilation / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014139:Tracheostomy